The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-16
THE DISMEMBERMENT OF VIRGINIA

FROM the ltlfnWDnd Dispatch, Dec TIL
Iere can be no virgnaunles include both Eastern
and Western Virginia Cameron, the sxecrabe Secretary
OF war or the Lincoln despotsm, has presented to tho
ssrviie Congress of that foathsome tyranny map in
whe Eastern Virginia Is attached to Maryland and Vir
GINA beyond the mountains traced out as the only Viz
gnia that to hereafter Camerons definition or
our boundaries OF course cannot prevail unless Of the
South are subjugated. The decisive battles however
must be fought in Virginia
We may therefore say that r we cannot hold Western
virginia we cannot hold Eastern Virginia. and II we can.
not hold Virginia we can hardly defend the South A
shrewd Northwestern man. who is true to the South de-
ciared to us Few days since thai IL the Southern con.
ted~acy did not maintain s over Western yirgi.
mia, Western Virginia would conquer Eastern Virginia
We consider the remark at least striking.
The importance Of taking and holding Northwestern
Virginia cannot be estimated As il is needless 10
stop to inquire now how has been lost only practi
cal 10 inquire how we are to redeem the State authority
in that part Of Virginia
Energetic, shrewd and experienced generals are ndis
pensabe TO the achievement. They sustained by
Sufficient and well disciplined troops and they must have
every possible facility Of transportation and proper sun
plies There is no way well calculated ensure these
as the extension or the railroads OF the James and IA
nawha Valleys, and the Improvement Of the roads which
viii be used by our troops Measures ought to be taken
at extend the Central road TO (ovinoton The
embankment is ready-the rails only waited They
are now IN possession Of the company, and only want
the Transportation % the point where they to be
used But the government has nonopolzed the trains
that the road has not the means 10 convey them to that
point.
The Covington and Ohio Railroad is ready to receive s
se structure nearly The entire distance from Covpgton
The White Sulphur Springs ff the Confederate govern
melt womb combine WIN the State, the could
Few months, be finished TO the Springs.
IL these two roads were finished So the Springs the
Western army would derive incalculabe advantages
therefrom II could move quicker its supplies could be
placed with greater ease and in large abundance at
proper depot the principal field Of operations The
Aeghancs would be passed BY railroad and the most
serious difficulties in the movements Of an army and its
supplies avoided.
This subject is that deserves the most serious at
tention OF Congress and state Legislature We hope
they viii take it up promptly and act decidedly and har
menously Western Virginia II Indispensable TO Eastern
Virginia and the conederacy from political CON
sderatons upon the Of the mineral wealth of that
part OF the state, II Is Of the vastest Importance to the
South The coal and iron deposits OF ilimable ex
tent and II we had not lost the salt mines-most ridicu-
lousy lost them--we would not feel the want Of this
article OF prime necessity now.
II the Western campaign is to be pressed earnestly,
these roads ought TO be attended once There is no
time Cor delay. y