The University of the South has graciously agreed to loan the sword of Captain N.M. Bearden for the cemetery dedication as explained below. The sword was lost during the Battle of Stones River, recovered by the family in 1883, and donated to the University in the 1940’s. There will also be a display featuring the Southern Long Rifles of Alfred Bearden at the dedication.
Please share this email with your groups or any others that you feel might be interested in attending. This will be a once in a lifetime event. I hope that you can attend.
C.S.A. / Masonic Cemetery Dedication
On July 30, 2011 at 10:00am (central) there will be a dedication ceremony at the newly restored Bearden Cemetery near Fayetteville Tennessee. Interred in the cemetery are members of the Bearden family which include three veterans of the War Between the States who served the Confederate States in the 8th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Two were killed during the War, while the third was discharged due to illness. Captain N. M. Bearden’s sword, on loan from the University of the South, will be on display along with several of Alfred Bearden’s long rifles from the mid 1800’s.
The dedication ceremony will include sharing of the history of the Bearden family and a discussion by a Dr. Jim Armitage on the impact of the WBTS on the people of Middle Tennessee. Masonic Funeral Services for Brothers Alfred and Monroe Bearden will be performed by Andrew Jackson Lodge #68 F & AM, as well as services to be performed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in honor of the veterans buried in the cemetery, including a wreath laying and gun salute.
The cemetery is located at 910 Ardmore Highway (Hwy 110) between Fayetteville and Taft.
Please come and join family, friends, Masonic Brothers, SCV members, historians, and others as we pay tribute to the Bearden Family and to all the pioneers in the South whose dedication and sacrifices provided for us our prosperity and our great Southern Heritage.
For information regarding the re-dedication, please contact Greg Fleitz at 502-225-4319 or greg.fleitz@gerdau.com.
General Information:
In the cemetery are buried many of the Bearden family, including Alfred and his wife Margaret, four of their children, a son-in-law and grandchild. Buried in the cemetery are his two sons and son-in-law who volunteered to serve in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States. His son-in-law Sgt. Robison Brown was killed just south of Atlanta in 1864, and his son Captain N. Monroe Bearden died due to wounds received during the Battle of Stones River in 1863. Sgt. L.J.E. Bearden was discharge due to illness in 1862.
Alfred moved from South Carolina and settled in Lincoln County in 1830, was a pioneer, and as well, a respected citizen of Lincoln County. Alfred’s main source of income was farming, but he was also a renowned gunsmith, and to this day, his hand made weapons are highly sought after among collectors. He served in many various roles of leadership in local government throughout his life. He served as Master of Andrew Jackson Lodge #68 F & AM in 1844, and remained active in the Lodge until his death in 1888.
In 2010, over concern that the large obelisk grave markers in the cemetery were in danger of falling over, Alfred Bearden’s g-g- grandson Greg Fleitz, a Mason and member of the SCV, and his sons Nick and Greg, Jr. decided to take action and restore the cemetery. They live near Louisville, KY and made “6” trips and spent over “8” months performing the work. Restoration of the wrought iron fence required removing the fence and taking it back to Kentucky for cleaning and repairs. Cleaning of the markers, removal of existing limestone slabs, removal of debris and concreting over the cemetery were finally completed in May of this year.
