Washington "Wash" Harper enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private at Knoxville, Tn. He was a member of Co. 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 MacLemores Cave, he marched to Lafayette and there was ordered to report as a nurse for the wounded of the MacLemore fight. a week later at the beginning of the Chicamaugua fight, he helped move the wounded to Tunnel Hill, then by rail to Atlanta, Ga. and again to Forsyth where he remained until the battle of Missionary Ridge on Sept. 2, 1863.

The Army then retreated to Ringold 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, Ga. 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, Ill. They were discharged on June 20, 1865.

Wash Harper was born May 26, 1845 in Tn. and came to Cass County, Tx. in Nov. of 1870. He first settled near Douglassville. On Sept. 29, 1872, he married Elizabeth M. "Betty" Draper the daughter of Peter Draper and Lavicie Reed. Betty Draper was born Feb. 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 b. Jan. 28, 1874 & d. Apr. 12, 1949. On Sept. 1, 1900 he married Mary D. Allen who was b. Nov. 27, 1874 and d. Aug 28, 1958. Both are buried at Linden. Their children were Benjamine A., Richard and Christine.

Alasco Harper, b. Jan 11, 1877 & d. Oct. 10, 1936. On Dec. 26, 1907 he m. Susanna Patience Wall who was b. Sept. 13, 1884 and d. 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, b. Jan 10, 1881 & d. Dec. 19, 1959. On Mar. 30, 1912 he m. Julia Maye Wiggins, b. Mar. 19, 1894 & d. May 16, 1983. Their children were William Travis, Arthur Nolan, Joel W., Odis Guy, Cyrus Othar and Onie.

E. Sloan Harper, b. Dec. 20, 1883 & d. June 21, 1929. On Aug. 24, 1910 he m. Pearl Wiggins who was b. May 25, 1890 & d. Feb. 8, 1958. Both are buried at Laws Chapel. Their children were Irvin W. & Row E.

Ben F. Harper b. July 23, 1887 & d. Sept. 28, 1968. He m. Mary Reed b. Oct. 23, 1886 & d. Jan. 9, 1952. She was the daughter of Omer Reed and Mary Bullard.

Cicero Harper b. 1896 & d. in Eastland County Apr. 3, 1960. He m. Miss Evie Lummus. They werre in Shakelford County in 1910 and later moved to Cisco, Eastland County. They were the parents of two sons: Arthur C. and Paul A.

May Harper b. & d. July 10, 1911.

This information was taken from the Cass County Connections, Vol. 25, Mar. 1999, pg 9-10