In 1861, West Tennessee overwhelmingly supported secession, but many residents with strong attachments to the Union lived in counties along the Tennessee River, and a small majority of loyalists in Henderson and Decatur counties voted against separation despite heavy pressure and risk. There was no neutral ground here. After the Battle of Shiloh in May 1862, Federal recruiters in Decatur County enlisted Unionists in several units and later formed the 6th and 7th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry regiments. Many residents of the Bear Creek area followed community leader Asa N. "Black Hawk" Hays, who became a captain in the 7th Tennessee, was later captured at Union City, and was imprisoned in Richmond's Libby Prison. After the war, hard feelings lingered, and in 1887 Hays was ambushed and killed on the Rosson Town Road; he is buried in Bear Creek Cemetery. The conflict also made life difficult for Confederates. Local resident Jerome S. Burton joined the 27th Tennessee Infantry (CSA). When his twin brother Peter Burton was killed in 1863 near Murfreesboro, Pvt. Burton took thirteen days to transport his remains through Union-occupied territory to Decatur County for burial, traveling by night and hiding the body in shallow graves until he reached Bunches Chapel Cemetery. He was later captured near Chattanooga and survived imprisonment at Fort Delaware. He died in 1879 and is buried near his brother.