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.