.png)
Marcellus Ephraim Jones (June 5, 1830 – October 9, 1900) is reported as being the soldier who fired the first shot at theBattle of Gettysburg (1863).
Jones was born inPoultney, Vermont, a son of Ephraim and Sophia (Page) Jones.[1] In 1858, Jones moved toDuPage County, Illinois. He lived in Danby (nowGlen Ellyn, Illinois), until theAmerican Civil War whenAbraham Lincoln called for volunteers.
Jones enlisted in Company E of the8th Illinois Cavalry[2] on August 5, 1861. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on December 5, 1862, first lieutenant July 4, 1864, and captain on October 10, 1864. All three commissions were signed by Illinois GovernorRichard Yates.
On July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Jones commanded one of the regiment's sentry posts on the Chambersburg Pike, the roadRobert E. Lee's Confederate army used to march fromCashtown to Gettysburg. About 7:30 a.m., Jones noticed a cloud of dust on the road to the west, indicating that theConfederates were approaching. At that point, Jones borrowed Corporal Levi S. Shafer's carbine, aimed it with the assistance of a fence rail, and fired a shot at "an officer on a white or light gray horse."
_at_Wheaton_Cemetery.jpg)
Jones settled inWheaton, Illinois, after the war and was active in local politics, including serving asDuPage County sheriff and Wheatonpostmaster. His home, which originally stood at 504 Naperville Road, was moved a few blocks away in 1977 and still stands today at 221 East Illinois, where it serves as offices for a law firm.
Jones was also active in erecting a memorial at the location where he fired the first shot of theBattle of Gettysburg. He was present inGettysburg in 1886 for the dedication of the memorial, which is composed ofDuPage County limestone and still stands today on the north side ofU.S. Route 30 (Chambersburg Pike) at its intersection with Knoxlyn Road.
Jones died inWheaton on October 9, 1900, and was buried atWheaton Cemetery.[1] His gravesite was left unmarked after he died, as his wife did not have enough money for a headstone. On April 11, 1976, theCivil War Round Table of Chicago installed a headstone at his grave.[3]
