Columbus Strait Jones was born December 26, 1843, in Tippah County, MS, the eldest child of John R. Jones (1818-1898) and Mary Doak Lynch (1824-1908). Columbus’s parents were from South Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. John R. Jones moved to Tippah County, MS as a very young man and established a farm.

Columbus enlisted in the First Alabama Cavalry, USV, in March 1863, at age 19, for a one year term. He mustered out of the First Alabama in November 1863 and enlisted in the First Battalion Mississippi Mounted Rifles, the only Civil War military unit of white soldiers from Mississippi, in January 1864. The war having ended, Columbus was mustered out in June 1865, and he returned to his parents’ home.

In 1869, he migrated to Williamson County, Texas. On May 20, 1875, at the age of 31, he married Mary Jane Nelson, age 18 (1856-1944), the daughter of Swedish immigrants. Columbus and Mary Jane had eight children, all but one of whom lived to adulthood.

Columbus apparently held several occupations as an adult. He was a farmer and a teamster. He also operated a fresno machine, helping to build railroads in Texas.

In 1901, Columbus and Mary Jane left Texas and homesteaded some acreage in Comanche County, Oklahoma. They were among the first white settlers of that part of southwest Oklahoma known as the "Big Pasture". The property stayed in the Jones family until at least 1994. They farmed wheat and perhaps cotton.

As of 2013, Columbus’s living descendants include eight great grandchildren. There are seven great great grandchildren as well.

Database created and maintained by Ryan Dupree.

Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.

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