Organized with 5 companies in July, 1861 under the command of Major William H. Brooks, and assigned to McIntosh's Brigade in McCulloch's Division in northwest Arkansas. Fought at the Leetown battlefield at Pea Ridge on March 7-8, 1862. Following the Confederate retreat from Pea Ridge, the battalion was dismounted and reorganized under the command of Lt. Col. Ras Stirman to serve as infantry in April, 1862.

Marched with the Army of the West to Corinth, Mississippi later that month where it served in General Dabney Maury's division during the Corinth campaign. Companies B, C, and D of Williamson's Infantry Battalion were assigned to the battalion on May 25, 1862, and redesignated as Companies H, G, and F respectively in the new organization. The battalion was further consolidated with Bridge's Sharpshooter Battalion on August 1, 1862, and the consolidated unit was redesignated as Stirman's Sharpshooter Regiment on August 1, 1862.

Fought in the Battle of Corinth on October 3-4, 1862, and following the subsequent retreat from Corinth, fought a valiant rear guard action at Hatchie Bridge. Reassigned to Craven's (later Green's) brigade in the defenses of Vicksburg, where it fought with distinction throughout the battles of the Vicksburg campaign; at Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, and the Big Black River Bridge. Served in the Vicksburg defenses throughout the siege of that stongpoint, and was surrendered with the Vicksburg garrison on July 4, 1863.

The survivors were paroled later that month, and sent back to Arkansas to regroup and reorganize. Conducted a scout of the state fromWaldron to Mount Ida to Caddo Gap and Dallas on December 2-, 1863. Served in Fagan's Cavalry Division during Price's Missouri Raid in September and October of 1864, and at battle of Ivey's Ford on January 17, 1865. Surrendered with Gen. Kirby Smith's army in May 26, 1865.
References: Albert O. McCollom, The War-time Letters of Albert O. McCollom

----------------------------------------------------------------- letters

Pisgah Cemetery was established soon after Pisgah Church was organized in 1853. The original yard contained about two acres of ground and a wall of rough stone was erected around it by the citizens of the surrounding country. The stone was quarried from the mountain side near the old homestead of Joshua A. Hearn, James and A.L. Oates superintended the building of the wall.
James L. Hearn and Greer Oates hauled the two large stones to which an iron gate was suspended. The gate was the handiwork and gift of John J. King whose body now rests within this sacred spot. This city of the dead has been enlarged the third time and at present contains about eight acres which is neatly enclosed with a woven wire fence, the old stone wall having been sold and removed to Russellville.
(Taken from an article written in 1906 for the Courier.Democrat by M.G. Hearne of Carnegie, Oklahoma.)

Seven Hearnes are buried in this cemetery, including Joshua Allen, James Lee Hearne mentioned in above 1906 article.

This next article written by Marcellus concerns life in Russellville when he was a child. It was written to the Russellville Courier-Democrat that he always had delivered to him whether he lived in Texas or Oklahoma.

(10-vol.xxiv) (Dec. 8, 1898 - no.42 - Editor - C-D)
Dear Sir:
We are having a blue northerner and are all housed up. Your recent article
on"twenty years ago" refreshed my memory with the long ago. I remember well
when J.L. Shinn "set up business" in a small frame house where the large brick
now stands. Hugh Wells was on the opposite corner, west - both fronting old
Norris-town and Dover road. Sam Smith 'done'the smithing and Uncle Jonah Tucker
fed the weary traveler that chanced to come in on the U.S. Mail Coach.


Dr. Thomas Russell lived out west, was the only "pill roller" and sold his powders
by the dozen when prescribing for his patients. He was a fine old Englishman, a good
doctor and 'done' such good for the country in those good old days.

"Uncle"Dan Petray owned and operated the horse mill with inclined wheel and
ground corn only - located east of town on town branch where your fine court
house now stands.

The only church building was a small frame house on the commons out near the
C.P.Church, but on the southside of the road. The people were called to worship
by blowing a large horn. This duty was often performed by the preachers, namely:
Cephas Washburn, George Strickland, Ben Bowley, Bowden, Baulch, and other divines
who 'done' so much to lay a sure foundation for future generations to enjoy.
Peace to their ashes.

The writer well remembers his first day in Sunday School; was in the early fifties
and Samuel McCarra Robinson of the "Cove" was superintendent and teacher.

Of pupils, I remember Joe, Josh and Miss Lizzie Potts, John Wallace, and Miss Polly,
Harriet, Jane Williamson; John Petray and Martha Ann, his pretty sister, Sally, Walter
Harkey and their brothers Thomas and Luther, Jennie, Frank and Alex Sassamon;
Jim, Jane and Hester Teeter and others.

They read time about all from one large New Testament, passing it down the line
while standing in a circle around the Superintendent. The primary Department used
Webster's Blue Back Speller and McGuffie's first and second reader.

Yes, sir: I have watched with interest the wondorful progress and development of
old Pope and ask not the pardon of any for saying that I am proud of the people,
their grand history, morally, religously and politically. Grand is old Arkansas,
noble and true and "up-to-date."

I know much early history and as Capt. Russell said: I never forget anything
(but he was mistaken). I may write again contrasting the past with the present
and also Arkansas with Texas.

As I have been a constant subscriber to your paper since the beginning of its
existence, you will find enclosed another dollar to keep it coming to my address.
Fraternally yours,
M.G. Hearn


As I look back over my reaadings, I cannot recall any mention whatsoever of
'Santa Claus' appearing at any of the Churches for the Christmas Tree Celebration.
The name did appear in some of the ads during the 11880-89 peiord.
M.G. Hearn
Fort Worth, Texas, 1889.


I think Marcellus was a pretty good writer for an old cowboy and rancher.
In 1889 he was 45 years old. Also, I typed this letter out exactly as he
wrote it with misspellings, reversals, and lapses in grammar and punctuation.
But I am the last one who should criticize.

I love this letter for its character. Also, it was typed. So, I believe it was sent in long hand and someone at the newspaper typed it. Or, Marcellus has a typewriter which is doubtful in 1889. Although, typewriters did in fact exist then. In the article, Marcellus makes reference to the "Cove". Some explanation is due here.

Out down the old Pisgah (pizzgee) road from Russellville to Pottsville which passes through what used to be the old Hearne and Harkey homesteads, the hills are very wooded with oak, pine, and cotton woods. There is a hillside close to the Pisgah Cemetery. The base of this hillside is shaped in a semi-circle with a stream running through it. The early pioneers built a Church there. They called it the "Old Cove Church". It was a favorite playground for the children of those days and more than a few old letters and histories by others have made mention of it.

The next letter from Marcellus was a letter written to the Russellville Courier-Democrat in August 1904 and was copied 1979 by J.B. Lemley for the two volume set "History of Pope County."

This Newspaper Article is as follows:
We are in receit of a letter from M.G. Hearn of Fort Worth, Texas, commenting upon the recent articles published in the C-D relative to the Old Cove Cemetary and school house, and as it brings to memory much of the early history of this scared spot we give it space in this issue. Editor C_D, Russellville, Ark.

"I wish to thank you for the two historical articles recently written on Old Cove Cemetary. The scenes that cluster around this old 'play ground' ar peculiarly scared to me, for it was here I learned my letters at school and received the greater part of my education. I read and read again those articles, and as my mind run back again to that old place I live o'er again my boyhood days and think how sweet it is to be remembered - alas, how sad to be forgotten. But it is the common fate of man "to be born, to live, to die and be forgotten."

The Original school house at Old Cove was built ot hewn logs and covered with boards, and was the enterprise of the following frontier settlers in 1849: J.A. Hearn, K.B. Potts, Sam Robinson, Arch Teeter, Wm. Gideon, the Bradley's, Moses Wilson, James, David, and Isaac Harkey, John Petray, William Shaw, John Morphis, and a few others. Among the first teachers were: S.D. Pickard, John M. Fergason, D.F. Berry and Dr. R. Raymond, who taught the young ideas how to shoot.

The Holy Bible and New Testament were used as text books, and this, perhaps, may account for the fact that in after years Old Cove and vicinity turned out thirteen ministers of the gospel.

Of my old class and school mates only a few are living. Among the number are Joe Potts, J.W. Petray, John Blackwood, Mrs.Dee Love, Mrs. Sarah Martin and Wm. Keeton. Among the first to preach at Old Cove were Rev. Baulch, Rev. Jim Austin, Rev. Buley, Rev. Bowden, Dr. Perry and Zack Keeton. The latter is a real 'walking encyclopedia' of early history in Pope County. I am sure these articles will recall to him many pleasant memories of earlier days. I remember to have heard him preach from the text, 'Holy Bible'-said his text was found on the outside of the Bible.

Another early sermon was from the text, 'Pray ye to the Lord for me that none of these things which ye have spoken of come upon me' by Rev. drue Perry in 1854. The cemetary was established in 1850, and the first person buried there was Miss Prudy Teeter, daughter of George and Katie Teeter, who was soon afterward followed by Lawson Withers, the second one to fix in this now neglected spot. The yard was once nicely enclosed, but was destroyed by fire.

Many of our best men and women are buried there. Peace to their ashes. With trembling hand and aching heart this writer placed many of those rude stones that mark their resting place.

M. G. Hearn
Ft. Worth, Texas
Aug. 6, 1904
Some time in the 1870s brother Fin and wife Sarah & children moved on to Ellis County, Texas and engaged in farming and ranching there. After the death of their mother, Jane Campbell in 1891, M.G. and wife Griselda & children did the same and finally settling at Diamond Hill, Fort Worth, Texas. He ranched, I am told by descendents, 600 acres, there. It was told to me that he died of a heart attack after bringing young sapling trees up to plant around his house. He was found dead on his porch, while resting from the work. The following is the obituary of Marcellus Greene Hearne taken from the March 6, 1913 of the Russellville Courier - Democrat.

Old Citizen of Pope Dead
M. G. Hearn was born in Pope county, Ark., near Pottsville, on Oct. 17, 1845, and grew to manhood in that vicinity. He joined the cavalry in the 7th Arkansas, under Capt. Russell, if I mistake not. He tried to do his duty as a soldier, and ranked as sargeant. He loved his brothers and comrades who wore the grey, and bore no ill will to those who wore the blue.

He was married August 17, 1865, to Griselda J. Raymond, to which union seven children were born, six of whom with their mother survive him. There also survive him one brother and a sister, Dr. J. O. Hearn, of Maud, Okla., and Mrs. M.J. Darr of Atkins, Ark.

He professed faith in Jesus Christ and joined the O.S. Presbyterian church at Mt. Zion, and was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for over forty-five years. He was a Blue Lodge Mason, and was P.M. in three states. He belonged to the Chambers Creek lodge. A.F. & A.M. at Rankin, Texas.

Mr. Hearn died very suddenly at his home on Diamond Hill, North Fort Worth, Texas, on Fibruary 15, 1913, and was laid to rest in Mt. Olive cemetary Monday morning, February 17, with Masonic honors. He lived an honest, upright Christian life; henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of rightousness. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord .... and their works do follow them."

He was a good, kind, loving husband and father, and will be sadly missed everywhere.
May we meet to part no more in the eternal palace of the King.
----- A Daughter.
Carnegie, Okla. 1913.


He is buried in Tarrant County Texas.-MLH



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