Maj. James M. Parrott, 8th Missouri Cavalry. Died of disease in Little Rock, AR in 1865 (Jim McGhee).
|
Lt. Washington L. Watkins, Assistant Adj. Jeffer's 8th Missouri Cavalry. Captured in 1863 (Margaret Harmon).
|
Company I (New Madrid, Stoddard) - Cpt. Edward Phillips, taken prisoner April 7, 1864.
Captain Edward Phillips, joined August 1862 at New Madrid, Missouri. Served as private for three and half months before being elected Captain on December 1, 1862. Official record states that he was elected in Stoddard County. Captured April 7, 1864 in Dunklin County.
In April of 1863, he requisitioned eight jackets, seventeen pairs of shoes, thirteen pairs of drawers, five pairs of socks, eleven shirts, three hats, thirteen pairs of trousers, and fifty-seven haversacks.
Captain Edward Phillips, joined August 1862 at New Madrid, Missouri. Served as private for three and half months before being elected Captain on December 1, 1862. Official record states that he was elected in Stoddard County. Captured April 7, 1864 in Dunklin County.
In April of 1863, he requisitioned eight jackets, seventeen pairs of shoes, thirteen pairs of drawers, five pairs of socks, eleven shirts, three hats, thirteen pairs of trousers, and fifty-seven haversacks.
Col. William Jeffers, 8th Missouri Cavalry
|
William Jeffers, a Mexican War veteran, raised the 8th Missouri Cavalry in the fall of 1862. Many of the recruits were formally from the 1st and 2nd Cavalry and 4th Infantry of the Missouri State Guard (1st Division). On July 30, Jeffers' men captured a forage party near Bloomfield, then captured a militia company at Dallas on August 17. On August 24, they defeated the 12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry on Crooked Creek in Bollinger County. On September 11, 1862, the 8th Missouri drove a company of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry and state militia out of Bloomfield. During that attack they captured two cannon, 300 rifles, three tons of ammunition, and large quantity of supplies. They suffered 2 killed and 3 wounded.
By October 1862, Jeffers had six companies, he took his battalion to Commerce, Missouri where he captured several militiamen on October 19. Four more companies joined by December, he organized all ten companies at Holcomb's Island in Dunklin County before marching to Pocahontas, Arkansas where his men were mustered into the newly formed, 8th Missouri Cavalry, on December 10, 1862. They joined the brigade commanded by Col. Moses J. White.
|
Jeffers and his men participated in Marmaduke's Southwest Missouri raid where they fought at Hartville, Missouri. Then in the spring of 1863 they traveled with Marmaduke to Southeast Missouri, but plaid a miner role due to lack of weapons and suitable mounts. By June Jeffers needed 300 horses and only had 126 serviceable weapons (McGhee).
The 8th Missouri Cavalry fought at Helena, Arkansas on July 4, after their defeat there they participated in the defense of Little Rock. Fought several battles in central Arkansas, including at Pine Bluff on October 25, where they captured two artillery pieces.
During 1864 they performed various scouting duties in Arkansas, they joined Price during his Missouri raid in September 1864. They were sent to drive out the federals in Bloomfield, which they did, capturing supplies and destroying the fortifications there. They captured a company of militia at Jackson, Missouri two days later.
During 1864 they performed various scouting duties in Arkansas, they joined Price during his Missouri raid in September 1864. They were sent to drive out the federals in Bloomfield, which they did, capturing supplies and destroying the fortifications there. They captured a company of militia at Jackson, Missouri two days later.
Battle of Pilot Knob
|
Jeffers and his men rejoined Price's army at Pilot Knob on September 27, 1864. They were placed on Marmaduke's left flank on Shepard's mountain (Clark's Brigade) and ordered to attack Fort Davidson from the south and west. The 4th and 8th Missouri Cavalry regiments became separated from the rest of the brigade as they descended down the east side of Shepard's Mountain toward the fort. They received heavy fire and only made it as far as a dry creek bed at the base of the mountain. During the attack they lost thirty killed and wounded including two company officers killed.
|
After the capture of the fort, the 8th traveled with Price's army through Missouri, fought at Booneville, Glasgow, and Westport. They were severely damaged at the battle of Mine Creek, Kansas on October 25, 1864. They suffered nine killed, twenty-one wounded, and sixteen captured. During the entire raid they lost twenty-two killed, thirty-five wounded, and thirty-five missing.
The regiment spent the remainder of the war in Southern Arkansas and Louisiana. They merged with the 7th Missouri Cavalry. When the regiment surrendered at Shreveport there were 250 original members left of 1000. Their total losses in killed during the war: 49 KIA, 86 Died of Disease, 2 Executed by Federals.
The regiment spent the remainder of the war in Southern Arkansas and Louisiana. They merged with the 7th Missouri Cavalry. When the regiment surrendered at Shreveport there were 250 original members left of 1000. Their total losses in killed during the war: 49 KIA, 86 Died of Disease, 2 Executed by Federals.
Roster of Company F, 8th Missouri Cavalry, Cape County
February 27, 1903, Bloomfield Vindicator, "Death of Colonel Jeffers."