In 1860, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina. Union troops fired on Ft. Sumpter the following year, and North Carolina seceded. Jesse enlisted in the Confederate Army a month later, the first of four brothers to do so.
He joined Company E, 1st North Carolina Cavalry with the rank of Sergeant. In October of 1861, his unit left for Virginia where they were reformed as the 9th NC Cavalry and placed under the command of General J.E.B. Stuart.
He saw hard fighting at Richmond, Harper's Ferry, and Brandy Station and elsewhere around Virginia.
As part of the Battle at Gettysburg, his unit was deployed to nearby Hunterstown. Jesse was with his squadron, leading a charge on the evening of July 3rd, when he was struck in the head by a musket shot.
Capt. C. J. Iredell, who was in the same unit and was present on the field, wrote:
"I did not see him fall, but a moment afterwards found him fallen from his horse...with Jasper Upchurch near him crying like a child." He continues, "This charge was made...near Hunter[s]town, Pennsylvania, and he was buried the next morning in the Presbyterian grave yard at that place...[t]he grave was marked."
His brother Matthew, a farrier in the same company, recovered Jesse's personal effects and ensured they were returned home to Louisburg, North Carolina.
Hunterstown's cemetery. Great Conewago Presbyterian is the only place which fits the description of where Jesse was laid to rest.
In 1860, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina. Union troops fired on Ft. Sumpter the following year, and North Carolina seceded. Jesse enlisted in the Confederate Army a month later, the first of four brothers to do so.
He joined Company E, 1st North Carolina Cavalry with the rank of Sergeant. In October of 1861, his unit left for Virginia where they were reformed as the 9th NC Cavalry and placed under the command of General J.E.B. Stuart.
He saw hard fighting at Richmond, Harper's Ferry, and Brandy Station and elsewhere around Virginia.
As part of the Battle at Gettysburg, his unit was deployed to nearby Hunterstown. Jesse was with his squadron, leading a charge on the evening of July 3rd, when he was struck in the head by a musket shot.
Capt. C. J. Iredell, who was in the same unit and was present on the field, wrote:
"I did not see him fall, but a moment afterwards found him fallen from his horse...with Jasper Upchurch near him crying like a child." He continues, "This charge was made...near Hunter[s]town, Pennsylvania, and he was buried the next morning in the Presbyterian grave yard at that place...[t]he grave was marked."
His brother Matthew, a farrier in the same company, recovered Jesse's personal effects and ensured they were returned home to Louisburg, North Carolina.
Hunterstown's cemetery. Great Conewago Presbyterian is the only place which fits the description of where Jesse was laid to rest.
Family Members
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Matthew Pressley Person
1834–1898
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Harriett Ellen Person Jones
1836–1885
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Sallie M Person Jones
1837–1895
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Mary Temperance Person Montgomery
1839–1921
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Martha Louise Person Harris
1843–1911
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PVT Thomas B Person
1845–1863
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Samuel Johnson Person
1847–1911
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Prudence Abiah Person Person
1849–1922
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Joseph John Person
1851–1916
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