Arnold Elzey

Arnold Elzey Jones Jr. (December 18, 1816 – February 21, 1871), known for much of his life simply as Arnold Elzey, was a soldier in both the United States Army and the Confederate Army, serving as a major general in the American Civil War. At First Manassas, he became one of the few officers ever to receive an on-the-field promotion to general by President Jefferson Davis. He commanded a brigade in Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, and was badly wounded at Gaines Mill, ending his active field career.

Early life and career Jones was born on the "Elmwood" plantation along the Manokin River in Somerset County, Maryland. His parents were Colonel Arnold Elzey Jones and Anne Wilson (née Jackson) Jones. He graduated from the United States Military Academy 33rd in the Class of 1837. After turning twenty-eight, he dropped Jones from his name and officially adopted Elzey as his surname to grant a wish of his father, going for the rest of his life simply as Arnold Elzey.

He was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Artillery and sent to Florida to fight in the Second Seminole War before being assigned to duty at Detroit, Michigan, during a series of territorial disputes between the U.S. and Canada. Promoted to first lieutenant in November 1839, he spent the next few years on recruiting duty.

Following the war, Elzey was formally promoted to the full rank of captain on February 14, 1849. He served in Florida a second time during the Third Seminole War in 1849–50, and again in 1856. He also commanded Augusta Arsenal.

Elzey was shot through the head at the Battle of Gaines Mill, a serious wound that kept him from active field command for the rest of the war. After he had recovered sufficiently to perform administrative and desk duty, he was promoted to major general dating from December 4, 1862. He was assigned command of the Department of Richmond and charged with the defense of the Confederacy's capital city. He dealt with a raid by George Stoneman's Union cavalry during the Chancellorsville Campaign, as well as Union gunboats that summer that threatened Richmond from the James River. Later relieved of command, he raised the Local Defense Brigade, a militia group consisting primarily of government clerks. He also helped organize the Virginia state reserves. He died in Baltimore and was buried there in Green Mount Cemetery.