Civil War Confederate Army Officer. He served five years in the Mexican War as a member of the 1st United States Regular Dragoon regiment. With the onset of the Civil War, he became commander of the Cape Giradeau County, Missouri unit called the "Swamp Rangers." This eventually combined with other units to become the Mounted Rangers battalion with Jeffers in command. He then became the Lieutenant Colonel with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, of the First Division, Missouri State Guards. He left that in 1862 to recruit his own cavalry. With his newly formed cavalry, he concentrated his attacks on Union troops in the Bootheel area of Missouri. His companies grew large enough to become a regiment, which was designated the 8th Missouri Calvary Regiment, and Jeffers was commissioned its Colonel. The 8th Missouri was assigned to General Basil Marmaduke's Brigade. The 8th's first engagement under Marmaduke was at Hartville, AR. where they suffered huge casualities. In 1863 Jeffers fought in many Arkansas battles to include Brownsville, Bayou Fourche, Helena, Taylor's Creek and Pine Bluff. In 1864 his regiment fought skirmishes in Louisiana, then returned to Arkansas to help defeat General Frederick Steele's Camden Expedition. The 8th also fought and won the battle at Poison Springs Arkansas. In 1864, the regiment was on the march from Pilot Knob, Mo., to Mine Creek, Kansas. The Mine Creek battle on October 25, proved costly to the 8th. Colonel Jeffers was taken prisoner and sent to Johnson's Island, Ohio. After his parole, he returned to Missouri. While visiting Corpus Christie, Texas he died. His remains were brought back to Jackson, Missouri for burial. At the entrance of the cemetery is a large monument dedicated to Jeffers in 1908.
Civil War Confederate Army Officer. He served five years in the Mexican War as a member of the 1st United States Regular Dragoon regiment. With the onset of the Civil War, he became commander of the Cape Giradeau County, Missouri unit called the "Swamp Rangers." This eventually combined with other units to become the Mounted Rangers battalion with Jeffers in command. He then became the Lieutenant Colonel with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, of the First Division, Missouri State Guards. He left that in 1862 to recruit his own cavalry. With his newly formed cavalry, he concentrated his attacks on Union troops in the Bootheel area of Missouri. His companies grew large enough to become a regiment, which was designated the 8th Missouri Calvary Regiment, and Jeffers was commissioned its Colonel. The 8th Missouri was assigned to General Basil Marmaduke's Brigade. The 8th's first engagement under Marmaduke was at Hartville, AR. where they suffered huge casualities. In 1863 Jeffers fought in many Arkansas battles to include Brownsville, Bayou Fourche, Helena, Taylor's Creek and Pine Bluff. In 1864 his regiment fought skirmishes in Louisiana, then returned to Arkansas to help defeat General Frederick Steele's Camden Expedition. The 8th also fought and won the battle at Poison Springs Arkansas. In 1864, the regiment was on the march from Pilot Knob, Mo., to Mine Creek, Kansas. The Mine Creek battle on October 25, proved costly to the 8th. Colonel Jeffers was taken prisoner and sent to Johnson's Island, Ohio. After his parole, he returned to Missouri. While visiting Corpus Christie, Texas he died. His remains were brought back to Jackson, Missouri for burial. At the entrance of the cemetery is a large monument dedicated to Jeffers in 1908.
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