From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Jarrett Jones was born a slave in Anderson County, about 1835. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Since Kentucky refrained from secession, the slaves within its borders remained in bondage.

Therefore, Jarrett Jones took matters into his own hands to secure his freedom. At some point in time he threw down the tools of forced labor, stole away from the fields, and made his way north across the Ohio River, most likely through the Underground Railroad.

Jones eventually landed in Massachusetts, where he was living in early 1863 when the Federal Government authorized the enlistment of colored regiments for Federal service in the Union Army. Jarrett joined other former slaves who went to the nearest enlistment point to volunteer, enlisting on May 29, 1863, and on May 31 he was mustered into Federal service at Readville, Massachusetts as a private in Company E of the 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment. Jarrett gave oath at the time of he enlisted that he was born a slave about 1835 in Anderson County, KY.

On July 21, 1863, the 55th left for duty in the south, arriving at the trenches on Morris Island, South Carolina on August 9. While in route to this new post on July 25, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, serving in that capacity until being discharged.

He and his comrades were engaged in several operations around South Carolina, including siege operations against the Confederate harbor forts at Charleston throughout 1863 and the spring and early summer of 1864.

In November 1864, the 55th joined Hatch's Expedition up the Broad River with a major battle at Honey Hill on November 30.

The 55th remained in South Carolina for the next several months, taking part in several expeditions and other minor skirmishes. By the end of May 1865, the 55th was serving provost duty at Orangeburg in August until it was mustered out of service August 29, 1865. It returned as a unit to Boston and was discharged there September 23, 1865.