As a physician Dr. Harper wasn't required to render military service for either the Confederate government or the State of Alabama. A medical certificate for Jackson Bell found in the exemption files for Conecuh County AL is dated Mar. 12, 1864, Evergreen, Ala. Bell claimed exemption from 2nd Class militia duty under the act of Aug. 29, 1863. Drs. S. S. Forbes and S. G. Harper signed this exemption as members of the county examining board.
In 1870 Dr. Harper gave his residence as Oldtown, a few miles east of Evergreen AL.