New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-10
nassss Rich Mountain and Gauley, Harper's Ferr

| ern Coniederacy. They have proved themselves
equal 10 any emergency, and have demonstrated that
they worthy cons OF illustrious ancestors, who
struck the frs, blow for freedom in the Western
world.
! It is not with US TO determine whether this war
shall be of long short duration We have decided
however, that IL cannot terminate until our enemies
shall recognize fully and Internationally the nde'
pendence Of the Southern Confederacy. Whatever
Of men or money is needed TO work out this result
will he cheerfuy furnished. There can be and there
will be no compromise. We eaH nerer again IRE ~
! harmony and peace under The same G0pernmeHf'
ne can ReDer entertain friendly feelings tor Peo-
Dlc 1cho hare 7utLieSSly shed Southern hood nP0R
! SoafAern soil tn SO erccraHe r0r. They have
shown themselves our worst enemies, and such we
hold them 10 be. The separation that has taken
place has been sgnalzed in blood and II ought TO be-
and trust will be- permanent separation. Recon-
sfruction Is not desirable, and crca y II Were, IS
nor an impossibiHy.
Ii is our duty therefore, 20 devote all our energies
70 VIGOROUS prosecution OF the war Everything
must be doue that patriotism and fidelity require
and nothing left undone that patriotism and prudence
suggest rs necessary for protection agans, actual
and contemplated aggressOns and encTcachments up
on our rights. No hesitating or doubtful policy viii
answer when armies arc ia the field. Nor VIII II DO
10 act alone on the defensive. TIE SuS2HehaRna IS
n bcfkcr fekfiRg hRe for as than the Potomac, and
tie sooner The soar rs pushed forcard to that line The
beficr for Virginia and tie Southern Contederdey.
10 that line il must 20 If we would save Mary
Let actions show TO her people that we feel Tor
their condition. and that we intend to aid them in Ell
letiug their deliyeauce from the tyranny that now
oppresses them and Thousands will welcome us TO
their State and flock to the standard of the Southern
Confederacy, with resoluiion 60 plant that flag
firmly upon her soil, die in the attempt. This war
Will not end until We show the Northern people The
difference between invading and being invaded.
I In this connection must not omit to notice the
noble spirit and promptitude exhibited by the gallant
sons of that State in coming forward Immediately
after our ordinance Of Secession was passsd, and
making tenders of service 10 and in tho struggle
which was then seen to be unavoidable. more
gallant set Of men never gractd battlefield and
soldiers more true more courageous and more ialth-
ful never struck blows for freedom and independence.
When their State was sublugaet they left their
homes families and friends, came TO Virginia, entered
her service, aud have exhibited devotion and del
ity to the cause worthy OF AL admiration.
Very shortly after the secession OF Virginia. in the
full belief that Gov Hicks OF Maryland, would be
disposed TO unite with III the adoption of some
line of policy that would be calculated 20 give
mutual protection TO our respective States against the
encroachments of the Lincoln Government, l sent
Judge William w. Crump OF this city, one Of my
aids de-camp, gentleman Of fine intelligence and
good prudence, 10 confer with him, and a'certain
what would be his course of action in the then eX-
isiing condition Of public affairs. On calling upon
Gov. Hicks Judge Crump very coon became satisfied
that the Governor intended 10 90 with the North,
and would use bis influence, personal and oicial 10
prevent Mary land from connecting herself with her
Southern sisters. The conference, therefore, soon
terminated
For ds struggle, 50 sadiely commenced. Vir-
0,asa had for SO1ac time been HakiRe such DTepdrd-
tons as her means eaabed her 10 make and although
she was not 60 well prepared desirable, still
sho was better prepared than most OF her Southern
sisters-beiter, perhaps than any one Of them. For
! some time anterior TO The secession she had been
engoged IN he purchase If arms Of different kinds,
ammunition, and ether necessary articles, and ~
mounting artillery, an anticipation q tie erent
wLieh sHbscqneHay occurred.
i large portion of the ammunition which has been
used in the was captured IN Norfolk, and the
heavy guns supplied 70 our Southern sister States for
coast river and land defense captured with the
Navy-Yard at the same time. The capture OF the
Maryland and Of liarpers Ferry was accomplished
i without the los Of life, or casualty OF any de-
scription. All the field artillery which We have
Issued belonged exclusively TO the State If Virginia.
and much the larger pant OF II had been m Cur
! possession for bali century. The small arms
were ell Of Ler own exclusive property, save $500
altered percussion muskets kindly furnished by the
late Gov. Ellis of North Carolina, who felt and
manifested the deepest nterest in al that concerned
the people ia this Commonwealth.
\ On the 2Sth day Of febrtry, 1916, the Legrla-
ture directed the Superintendent Of the Annoy to
SELL under the direction of tine Executive, all such
arms and Announcements then in the AmOTy were
/ not worth repairing Ihis oTaeT TGS c0HsfrWef by
! Goreraor IIoyd 20 inciudc tie iron siI-ponadeys
! ttea at he Aymory, and Jy m 0ller dafed Feb.
y
them at not less than So each. Fortunately Tor n
there were no bidders al that price, and the guns
manned in the possession Of the State, and each
one Of those pieces Is III the field, and they have
proved to be equal 10 any guns Of ike calber now
in service. How small circumstance controls the
greatest events. What embarrassment would have at
tended our operations in this important struggle, II
these pieces had not been in possession and ready
for transportation to the field
IL IS 10 b. regretted that Fortress Monroe is not a.
opr DogsessiOH that II was not as easily captured as
the Navy-Yard and Harper's Ferry. ds Jar back
as tie 6th Of JGHary iasf, consulted riH q gen
Heman UrhOse position enabled Inn IN kHOU The
strength Of that I0Ttyess, and rh0see experience ~ MIL
story matters enabled han TO Jorn an opinion as r.
tie HunJer Of men that WOtid be- ye9uired 10 fac H.
lie represented it 10 be one Of the strongest foTica
tions in the world and expressed his doubts whether
il could he taken, unless assaied by water a. well
as by land and simultaneously. lie stated, omphah
I cally and dstincy that with the force then in the
fortress il would be useless TO attempt It's capture
without a large force, thoroughly equipped and well
appointed. At no time previous 10 the recession OF
Virginia had military organization sufficient to
Justify attempt 10 take il, and events since that
occurrence demonstrate very clearly that with our
military organization SINCE and now exiring it
has not been deemed prudent to make the attempt.
Prior to the secession Of the State indeed from the
commencement Of my Gubernatorial term, used ell
proper means within my reach, aided and supported
by the military commission, TO prepare the State for
defense.
| In answer TO my accommodation, the General
Assembly appropriated $lo0,OOO in bonds, TO be
pended in the purchase Of arms, equipments and
nitions Of war. II we could then have purchased all
the arms which desired to obtain, State would
Fhaye been in better condition TO repel the assaults
Of the Federal Executive. Al tie time re made the
purchase of frc houI0Hd mNSkefs frOm the Etd-
erdi G0reramcnt nee desired 10 purchase ten HOVsaad
ddditioiv but the authorities declined 10 sell them
to US, although five times tie number were then in