The service was that of a County Militia Company. You evidently have seen the listing in Johnston's book. If you look at the places mentioned in the 'tower of duty' line in the listing, if you study local records you may find out more about why exactly they were called up.

All free white males aged 16-65 (age ranges varied by State and time) were considered to be in the County Militia. Companies or individuals may not have seen any active duty during the war. This is an instance where at least part of a Company did have active duty.

Town and County records may have more information as to how much active duty other Companies of this County saw. This may have been the only active duty of this Company.

Ensigns were the lowest rank of Commissioned Officers, below (in order) the 2d Lt., 1st Lt., Captain, Major, Lt. Col. (if there was one), Col. and so forth. The Ensign outranked Sergeants and Corporals and Privates.

State Troops and County Militia ranks were not considered equivalent to the same-named rank in the Continental Regiments. A Continental Troops Colonel outranked a State or County Colonel.

Good hunting,
Judy