Washington Harper, POW survivor

Washington “Wash” Harper enlisted in the Confederate army as a private at Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a member of Company D, 6th. Florida Regiment, Finley’s Brigade, Bates Division. He immediately took measles and was sent on furlough for 30 days. Returning to the army a few days before the Battle of Macklemore’s Cave, he marched to Lafayette and there was ordered to report as a nurse for the wounded of the Macklemore fight.

A week later at the beginning of the Chickamauga fight he helped move the wounded to Tunnel Hill, then by rail to Atlanta, Georgia and again to Forsyth where he remained until the battle of Missionary Ridge on September 2, 1863.

The army then retreated to Ringgold and to Dalton where they went into winter quarters. The following March, the Yankees attacked. The Confederates were ordered by “whisper” to retreat to Resaca, Georgia. Here they built breastworks but then retreated to Cassville.

Another retreat was made before they were captured on May 20, 1864 and carried to Rock Island, Illinois. They were discharged on June 20, 1865.

Wash Harper was born May 26, 1845 in Tennessee and came to Cass County, Texas in November of 1870. He first settled near Douglassville. On September 29, 1872, he married Elizabeth M. “Betty” Draper the daughter of Peter Draper and Lavicie Reed. Betty Draper was born February 22, 1845. In the fall of 1876, the Harpers moved to the Laws Chapel community. In 1928, FARM & RANCH magazine named Wash progressive farmer for Cass County.

Wash and Betty Harper were the parents of the following seven sons and one daughter;

Lester Looney Harper born January 28, 1874 and died April 12, 1949. On September 1, 1900, he married Mary D. Allen who was born November 27, 1874 and died August 28, 1958. Both are buried at Linden. Their children were Benjamin A., Richard and Christine.

Alasco Harper, born January 11, 1877 and died October 10, 1936. On December 26, 1907, he married Susanna Patience Wall who was born September 13, 1884 and died July 30, 1941. They are buried at Laws Chapel. Their children were; Thomas Reed, Mary Agnes STEGER, Ruby Lee ROBERTSON, Lillie, Quida Bell WATKINS and Coy Hershel.

William Arthur “Will” Harper, born January 10, 1881 and died December 19, 1959. On March 30, 1912, he married Julia Maye Wiggins, born March 19, 189-1 and died May 16, 1983. Their children were William Travis, Arthur Nolan, Joel W., Odis Guy,

Cyrus Othar and Onie. E. Sloan Harper, born December 20, 1883 and died June 21, 1929. On August 24, 1910, he married Pearl Wiggins who was born May 25, 1890 and died February 8, 1958. Both buried at Laws Chapel. Their children were Irvin W. and Roy E.

Ben F. Harper, born July 25, 1885 and died May 26, 1968. Buried at Laws Chapel.

George H. Harper, born July 23, 1887 and died September 28,

1968. He married Mary Reed who was born October 23, 1886 and

died January 9, 1952. She was the daughter of Omer Reed and Mary Builard.

Cicero Harper, born 1896 and died in Eastland County, April 3, 1960. On September 4, 1905, he married Miss. Evie Lummus. They were in Shakelford County in 1910 and later removed to Cisco, Eastland County. They were the parents of two sons; Arthur C. and Paul A.