James M. Jeffries Collection,

James M. Jeffries was a cadet of the Virginia Military Institute at the opening of the Civil War and went to Richmond to drill army recruits. Jeffries enlisted in the 24th Virginia Cavalry on August 1, 1863. He is noted as having a surgeon's certificate. Jeffries received a series of promotions from second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and finally to captain of Company E. He was paroled with Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox on April 10, 1865.

On April 9, 1865, Appomattox Court House, General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, totaling approximately 30,000 soldiers, surrendered to three Federal armies commanded by Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. In a second meeting between the two generals on the morning of April 10, Lee, concerned about the safety of his men as they traveled to their homes, requested that his soldiers be issued proof of their status as paroled prisoners of war. By the terms of this agreement, the men were entitled to travel unharmed through areas where fighting was still going on.

Sources and additional information: Holland, Darryl. 24th Virginia Cavalry. Lynchburg, VA: H. E. Howard, 1997. Appomattox Court House National Park: http://www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm