The Tragedies of War

I recently ran across some detailed information regarding Oliver Johnson's service in the Civil War. He was living in Tuscarawas, Ohio, when he went up to Norwalk to enlist in the Union Army October of 1861. He served for four years. He was wounded three times, the last time being at Resaca, Georgia. The Army of the Ohio was under the command of General Sherman when he began his march to the sea in the spring of 1864. The Rebels put up a good fight there at Resaca. While learning earlier about the atrocities inflicted on my civilian ancestors during Sherman's march, I developed much contempt for the man.

In the same source where I found Oliver's military information, there was a reference to Hiram Johnson. He enlisted in the same place, a day later than Oliver. I feel he is the same Hiram listed as Oliver's brother on the 1850 census of Stark County, Ohio. I was stunned to learn that Hiram was killed at Resaca. Suddenly I don't have contempt anymore, just deep sadness.

Harless Hardships

I recently transcribed the pension applications for brothers, Ferdinand, Daniel, and Philip Harless of Giles County, Virginia. At this time, the area was on the very edge of civilization. The Harless family was part of the German New River Settlement. The boys were sixteen to 22 years of age when they first volunteered. They served six months out of every year for four years at a couple of forts. They were under the command of Captains and Colonels. They also served as spies to trace the movements of the Indians lurking about. Sometimes there were not enough volunteers from the backwoods to properly man the forts so men from nearby counties were drafted to help out.

In their applications the brothers recounted the depredations brought upon the settlers by the Indians. They told of families who were attacked, and some members were murdered while others were carried away captive. Their own father, Martin Harless, was chased through the woods for three or four miles before he found safety. Ferdinand recalled a ". . . Daughter of Lybrooks was skelped and beate on the head with a war club and found living next morning and when she was found asked for a drink of water and soon after expired."

Apparently their service in the Revolutionary War was not recognized by the war department; thus, their applications were denied. No, they did not belong to the Continental Army, and they did not engage the British in battle. Their service was in protecting the frontier families from the British allies so in my book they were war heroes.