General Jones's Last Stand

General Jones's Last Stand. "I'll Bring You Help!". , Mid-Afternoon, Confederate Gen. William E. Jones was preparing to launch his counterattack when he was alerted to Thoburn's fast-approaching troops to your right. Jones "ran his horse out between the lines" to examine the situation and then raced back to the Thomas Legion, positioned 500 feet in front of you, shouting, "Brave Carolinians, I'll bring you help!", Jones ordered the 60th Virginia, positioned near this spot, to return to their former position on the right flank of the Legion, then directed Gen. John Vaughn to bring his Tennesseans, who were 500 feet to your left, to the threatened point. He also ordered Col. Kenton Harper's Valley Reserves up from their position at the Middle River Church behind you., The 60th Virginia deployed into line of battle to your right front, but Thoburn's attack struck before they could complete their deployment and drove the Virginians into the woods that stood to your left. Jones rallied some of the broken troops, and Vaughn fashioned a second line with the 39th Tennessee behind a rail fence that stood to your immediate left. In conjunction with the arrival of the Valley Reserves, they temporarily checked Thoburn's progress "in some of the prettiest fighting you ever saw, give and take" - but the Federals quickly regrouped, and the pressure became too great for the Confederates... and their line began to crumble., Jones frantically tried to rally the fleeing troops. He rushed into the chaos, somewhere near this spot, waving his hat and urging his men to hold their ground. It was the last act of his life. A Union bullet struck him in the temple and killed him instantly., With Thoburn's brigade driving toward the bluffs to your left, and Moor's brigade joining the fight, the Federals overwhelmed the Confederates. The southern defenses collapsed, and the Confederates retreated in confused masses, some towards Staunton and others towards Waynesboro., (Captions):, Confederate commander Gen. William E. Jones., Confederate Col. Kenton Harper, who commanded the Valley Reserves.