BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES.

BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROGER JONES, Adjutant-General of the United States' army, is a native of Westmoreland county, Virginia, and brother to the distinguished Commodore Jones. After receiving a good education, he entered the army [January 26th, 1809] while quite young, as a lieutenant of marines, in which capacity he was actively employed until July 6th, 1812, when he was appointed a captain of artillery.

At the opening of the campaign of 1813, Captain Jones joined the regiment of Colonel [General] Macomb, at Greenbush, where was established a camp of instruction. Soon after, the whole army, under Major-General Dearborn, marched to Sackett's Harbour and prepared for a descent upon Upper Canada. Immediately after the capture of York, and in full view of Fort Niagara, Captain Jones received from Brigadier-General Chandler the appointment of major of brigade, a station for which his high reputation as a disciplinarian and an active, zealous officer, eminently qualified him.

In his new capacity, Captain Jones was actively and efficiently engaged in the taking of Fort George, May 27th, 1813; and eight days afterward [June 5th] he was with Brigadier-General Chandler at the battle of Stony Creek, where, after displaying great bravery, he received a severe wound from a bayonet. On the 13th of August he was transferred to the staff as assistant adjutant-general, with the brevet rank of major.

In the memorable campaign of 1814 on the Niagara frontier, Major Jones bore a distinguished part. At its commencement ne was attached to the staff of Major-General Brown, commanding the left division of the army. He assisted in the crossing of the Niagara, and taking of Fort Erie, [July 3d, 1814,] and was in the battle

of Chippewa, July 5th, 1814. In his official report of this event, General Brown says:

"Colonel Gardner, Major Jones," &c., "have been as active, and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments; of Gardner and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you."

For his "distinguished services in the battle of Chippewa," Major Jones received from President Madison the brevet rank of major in the corps of artillery to which he belonged.

In the great battle of Niagara, [July 25th, 1814,] Major Jones again acted well and honourably his part, and received high commendation from Major-General Brown. He participated in the battle of Fort Erie [August 15th, 1814] under General Gaines, when that post was assaulted by the British under LieutenantGeneral Drummond. In his official report of the battle, General

"To Major Jones, assistant adjutant-general, Major Hall," &c., "much credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict attention to every duty previous to the action, and the steady courage, zeal, and activity, which they manifested during the action."

Major Jones was engaged in the subsequent defence of Fort Erie, and sortie from the works, where "one thousand regulars," says General Brown, "and an equal number of militia, in one hour of close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, destroyed the fruits of fifty days' labour, and diminished his effective force one thousand men at least." For his conduct in the affair the major received from President Madison the further promotion of brevet lieutenantcolonel. During the whole siege, he performed the duties of adjutant-general (chief of staff) during the sickness of Colonel Gardner. When General Izard's command arrived, he was transferred to the left division of the army, and continued to exercise the duties of his office until the close of the campaign of 1814, when the Americans retired into winter quarters at Sackett's Harbour.

In June, 1815, at the solicitation of General Brown, LieutenantColonel Jones joined the staff of that officer as aid-de-camp and adju. tant-general. When he left the general's military family, he received from him an elegant sword as a testimonial of his friendship and gratitude; and a short time previous to the close of the war, Generals Brown, Porter, and Scott each addressed letters to the

Secretary of War, [Mr. Monroe,] warmly recommending Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Jones for the full lieutenant-colonelcy of the 24th infantry.

On the 15th of February, 1834, the legislature of Virginia voted swords to Colonel Jones and his brother of the navy, as proofs of esteem for their distinguished services. Owing to accidental causes, this testimonial was not presented to the colonel until February 22d, 1841.

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Jones remained with his company from December, 1815, until August, 1818, and the admirable condition to which he brought it is still remembered in the service. It excelled in all that constitutes a model corps. August 10th, 1818, he was appointed adjutant-general of the Northern Division, with the brevet rank of colonel. He remained in this capacity until 1821, when, notwithstanding the reduction of the army, he was retained with his full lineal rank, and assigned to the 3d regiment of artillery. While yet a captain in the line, he was appointed [March 7th, 1825] adjutant-general of the United States' army, with the rank of colonel. On the 17th of February, 1827, he was promoted as major of the 2d artillery in the regular line. In 1829 he received the brevet of colonel, [ranking from September 17th, 1824,] and on June 17th, 1832, he was raised to brevet brigadiergeneral, which rank he now holds in the military service.

In October, 1844, Brigadier-General Jones, Lieutenant-Colonel Mason, and Governor Butler, Cherokee Agent, were constituted by the President a commission to the Cherokees, in order to invest and report upon the causes and extent of the discontents and difficulties among them. The report which, as president of the commission, General Jones drew up, was able and conclusive, eventuating in the formal pacification of the Indians.

General Jones has now been adjutant-general of the army for more than twenty years. A glance at the army regulations will show, that his office is one of the principal military bureaus of the war department. Its civil and ministerial relations to the head of the department are numerous, weighty, and often confidential; whilst in all organizations of the general staff of the army, it occupies a position, as regards matters purely military, of the first importance. As the chief of staff to the commander of the army, the adjutant-general is charged with all orders, military correspondence,