Near Sumner in Lamar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Historic Persimmon Grove and Capt. Hill's Military Camp

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 2, 2026

1. The Historic Persimmon Grove and Capt. Hill's Military Camp Marker

Inscription. Up to 1860, pioneers found here a grand 100-square-mile prairie overgrown with high grass. The grove of persimmons 100 yards west of this spot formed an island on the north-central edge of the prairie. The locality's only trees, the persimmon grove was a gathering place where settlers swapped news or livestock and followed other casual pursuits.

When Texas and other states seceded from the Union and prepared for war, Lamar Cavalry Company No. 2 was organized here on June 10, 1861, by Methodist lay minister and Mexican war veteran James Hill (1827-90). Capt. Hill drilled his men for several months on the prairie beside the grove. Then it became known that militia laws would forbid such cavalry units to leave the state of Texas. Disbanding, Hill's men formed Company E, 9th Regiment, Texas Infantry, and were mustered into Confederate service on Nov. 26, 1861. In Ector's Brigade, French's Division, army of Lieutenant General Polk, they fought at Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and other actions.

Farmers later plowed up the prairie and planted trees that obscured the persimmon grove. Yet is has become a landmark of

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pioneer days.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8220.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 10, 1861.

Location. 33° 40.943′ N, 95° 49.038′ W. Marker is near Sumner, Texas, in Lamar County. It is on Farm to Market 38 0.4 miles north of County Road 36120 when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13207 FM 38, Petty TX 75470, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: New Salem Cemetery (approx. 4.9 miles away); Jones' Mill Community (approx. 5.7 miles away); Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland (approx.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 2, 2026

2. The Historic Persimmon Grove and Capt. Hill's Military Camp Marker

6.9 miles away); Shiloh Cemetery (approx. 7.2 miles away); Tridens Prairie (approx. 7.4 miles away); Allen's Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery (approx. 7.8 miles away); Erwin Evans Smith (approx. 8.2 miles away); Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 8.3 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.