Colonel William Jeffers Monument - Jackson, Mo. - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

Col William L. Jeffers

Civil War Figure. Jeffers served five years in the Mexican War with the 1st Regiment of the U. S. Dragoons. With the onset of the Civil War, Jeffers became commander of the Cape Giradeau County unit called the "Swamp Rangers." This eventually combined with other units to become the Mounted Rangers battalion with Jeffers in command. Jeffers became a Lt. Colonel with the 2nd Cavarly Regiment, of the First Division, MSG. He left that in 1862 to recruit his own calvary. With his newly formed calvary, he concentrated his attacks on Union troops in the Bootheel area of Missouri. Jeffers companies grew large enough to become a regiment. It was designated the 8th Missouri Cavarly Regiment and Jeffers was commissioned a Colonel. The 8th was assigned to General 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.