Correction: The adjutant to Col. Townes named James Bell was lynched, not Col.Townes.

At the start of the war, Dudley W. Jones and his family were living at Mt. Pleasant in Titus County and went to school at Coffeeville in Upshur County Texas. In 1861, Jones enlisted in "The Titus Greys" and the company was mustered as Co.I into Col. W.B. Simms/Col. N.W. Townes 9th Texas Cavalry, C.S.A.

James Bell, a regimental adjutant to Col.Townes, was accused of being an "abolitionist and bigamist" and was lynched by troops in the regiment. At the age of 22, Dudley W. Jones was elected first lieutenant and adjutant to Col. Townes, replacing Bell. Lt. D.W. Jones was later elected colonel replacing Col.N.W.Townes.