> This all brings up a question I've asked before. One of my ancestors >- Sampson Peirsol - said he served "as a private soldier a volunteer in >March in the year 1781 under Captain Joseph Sipeney in a company of >Indian Spies" when he applied for a Revolutionary War pension. What was >an "Indian Spy" and what did one do? hi Brian, these guys were the Rangers. here's a bit from _Settler's Forts of Western PA_ by John A. DeMay ISBN 0-9660243-0-3, an excellent book that i think everyone interested in this area/time period should have: "Someone had to go looking for Indians prowling around the neighborhood. It didn't do to have a fort to run to but nobody to tell you when to run. This need brought about the creation of specialized Ranger untis who were on the government payroll and served for an extended period of time. They were formed into small units of highly skilled, audacious men and sent out to patrol extensively along the rivers and throughout the countryside, looking for signs of Indian war parties. They were also expected to go on spying missions to the Indian villages as far as 200 miles away. All of these men were born and reared on this frontier, grew up intimately acquainted with the rivers and forests, and knew every skill for survival in this harsh environment. They were expert shots with a rifle, could throw a tomahawk accurately, were physically strong and possessed extraordinary stamina. Finally, each man had a well-established reputation for courage and audacity. They were quite a crew." and here's a bit from _Pioneer Life_ by Wright and Corbett, ISBN 0-8229-6044-3: "The ranger was a kind of scout, a man who knew the tactics of Indian warfare. He was an army in one individual. He carried his artillery on his shoulder. In ordinary times-in times of quiet sowing or harvest, that is-he might be a farmer cultivating his own small clearing. But in times of sudden raid or when messages were to be sent to a distant settlement or fort, he was a voluntary soldier, serving in a company or individually, and to him fell the defense of the frontier." hope this helps. bye, JoAnn.