Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, John (1811-1878)
JONES, Sir JOHN (1811–1878), lieutenant-general, born in 1811, was in June 1828 appointed ensign in the 5th foot, in which he became lieutenant in December 1831. Two years later he exchanged to the 60th rifles, in which he became captain in July 1841, and major in July 1849. His service was passed in the 2nd battalion of the four-company depôt, of which he was left in command when the battalion went out to the Cape in 1851. In June 1854 Jones became lieutenant-colonel in the 1st battalion, and was with the battalion at Meerut, at the outbreak of the Sepoy mutiny in May 1857. He commanded the battalion in the fighting at the Hindun, 30–1 May, at the battle of Budlee-ke-Serai, and at the siege of Delhi; led the column of attack on the Sabzimandi on 18 July; covered the assaulting columns at the storming of the city on 14 Sept.; was in command of the left attacking column from 15 to 20 Sept., which blew open the gates, and took possession of the palace on 20 Sept. 1857. He was brigadier in command of the Roorkhee field-force, one of the columns of the army under Sir Colin Campbell during the hot-weather campaign in Rohilcund and the assault and capture of Bareilly. The successes of the Roorkhee column, which captured every gun turned against it, and the heavy punishment inflicted on the mutineers in these operations, acquired for Jones in India the sobriquet of ‘the Avenger.’ He was afterwards employed as brigadier in Oude, at the relief of Sháhjahánpur, the capture of Bunnai, pursuit of the enemy across the Goomtee, and destruction of Mohomdee. He commanded the battalion in the action at Pusgaon. For his services he received the thanks of General Wilson, Lord Clyde, and the governor-general in council, was made K.C.B., and received the brevet of colonel (medal and clasp). Jones was inspecting field-officer at Liverpool from March 1864 until his promotion to major-general in March 1868. He became lieutenant-general in 1877, and received a pension for distinguished service. He died at Torquay on 21 Feb. 1878.
[Army Lists and London Gazettes under dates; Kaye's Hist. of the Sepoy Mutiny, continued by Malleson.]