To defend themselves against the Simon Girtys, and their Indians allies on the frontier. Militia units were formed all over Pennsylvania.

It was the practice of the time for officers of the militia, to be elected by their men.

Often they were selected because of previous experience handling men, or sometimes simply because of their popularity. Each Battalion met in their districts, formed companies, and selected their officers. At their meeting at Lytle's Fort, just south of Hartslog, on the Twentieth of June 1781, the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Bedford County Militia selected John Thorlton as Captain of the Company, and Thomas Montgomery as Lieutenant, and James McGinnis, John's neighbor, as Ensign. The election was certified by Moses Donaldson, and William Laird who were inspectors, with James Kennedy as clerk, and David Kennedy and Captain Walter M. Kinnie as Judges.

The following is a rooster of the officers of the Bedford County Militia, Commanded by the following Field Officers:

The boundaries of the first Battalion of the Bedford county Militia, Commanded by the following field officers:

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cessna
Major Andrew McCann Air Township, Bethal, Providence, Colerin and Cumberland Valley Townships, Sub Divided as follows;

From Evan Jenkins on Licking Creek, and up the line of Bethal Township to the end of the same, and then by and with the same to Sideling Hill, thence along the east side of said hill until it intercepts the road that leads from Moses Reed's, Esquires Mill to Bedford, thence along the same road to Jacob Henderslot's thence to Widow Rush's and Abner Robert's, to place of beginning.

Captain Henry Rush
Lieutenant John Longstreet
Ensign Jacob Shingletaker

Beginning at John Clarkson, Licking Creek, from thence to Joseph Thgrall's on Ditch Run, down said run to the Province line, along the Province line to the North Mountain, including all the inhabitants of the Little Cove, then on Licking Creek to place of beginning.

Captain Thomas Davis
Lieutenant James John
Ensign Thomas Harrod

Beginning and including all the inhabitants on the east side of Wills Creek Mountain in Cumberland Valley Township.

Captain Evan Cessna
Lieutenant Samuel Borian
Ensign Dickey Barkshire

Beginning and including all the inhabitants in Cumberland Valley Township, on west side of Wills Creek Mountain.

Captain Samuel Paxton
Lieutenant Matthew Felly
Ensign Richard Wood

Beginning at Stillwell Trueax on Great Cove Creek, in Air Township, including all the Big Cove up said creek.

Captain Charles Taggart
Lieutenant David Hunter
Ensign John Raskin

Beginning at, and including all Whippey's Cove, together with all of Providence Township on the south side of the Juniata, except John Livingston, Amos Jones, Adam Miller, and Abraham Covalt.

Captain George Enslow
Lieutenant ?
Ensign George Peck

Beginning at, including all the inhabitants of Colerain Township.

Captain Gideon Richey
Lieutenant Edward Rose
Ensign Henry Williams

Beginning at the Province Line on Ditch Run in Bethal Township, thence west along said line to the top of Sideling Hill, thence north along the top of said hill, to the public road that leads from Moses Reed, Esquires Mill to Bedford Town, thence along said road to Jacob Hendershotts, Widow Rush, and Abner Roberts, thence to Evan Jenkins on Licking Creek, down said Creek to William Stephens, from thence to Joseph Thrall's on Ditch Run, and down said run to place of beginning, including all that's mentioned in said line to belong to said Company and District.

Captain James McKenny
Lieutenant Abednego Stephens
Ensign Moses Grahams

The boundaries of the Second Battalion of the Bedford County Militia, Commanded by the Following Field Officers:

Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Davidson
Major John Shaver

Dublin Township, Barree, Hopewell, Frankstown, Shirley, Huntingdon Townships, Sub-Divided as follows:

Beginning at and including all the inhabitants of Barre Township.

Captain John Spencer
Lieutenant Edward Rickets
Ensign Thomas Wolson

Beginning at John Montgomery's on Aughwick Creek, from thence with a straight line to Sideling Hill, and with Sideling Hill to the Great Road, and with said road to Tuscarora Mountain, and down said mountain opposite to Thomas Burd's, and thence with a straight line to the beginning.

Captain David Walker
Lieutenant John Swagers
Ensign Samuel Coyle

Beginning at and including all the inhabitants of Standing Stone Township.

Captain John Dean
Lieutenant Jacob Lard
Ensign Archibald Flecther

Beginning at and including all the inhabitants of Huntingdon Township.

Captain John Thorlton
Lieutenant Thomas Montgomery
Ensign James Mcginnis

Beginning at the County line, opposite to Thomas Burd and running with said line to the gap of Tuscarora Mountain, and thence with the county line to the Shade Mountain to the Shade Gap, from thence to John Montgomery's on Aughwick Creek, and from thence with a straight line to the beginning, including John Tins and Thomas Burd's.

Captain George Wilson
Lieutenant John Morton
Ensign George Gooshorn

Beginning at and including all the inhabitants of Prigmor's Fort.

Captain Jacob Gonow
Lieutenant John Free
Ensign Robert Criswell

The boundaries of the Third Battalion of' the Bedford by the Following Field Officers:

Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Dougherty
Major John Woods

Comprising Providence, Bedford, Quemahoing, Brother's Valley, Turkey Foot, Milford 'Townships, bounded on East by the line of 1st Battalion, on the south by the Maryland line, on the west by the County line, and on the north by the line of' the 2nd Battalion, and sub-divided into eight parts or companys with their respective officers:

The return of the above Battalion and officers is just and true as it stands now.
Stated by orders of and superintended by;
James Martin ' S.L. Bedford County Dated this 20th day April, Anno Domini. 1781.