The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-02

y Tho correspondent OF the New York
Herald, writing from Beverly, under date Of
the 22d inst, speaks as follows OF the deIar-
turc of Gen. Mcclellan to take command Mt
Washington, and thcstatc Of affairs in West
srn Virginia:
"AIajor Gen. Mcclellan, undar tclegraphic
instructions from the " ar Department struck
his camp here this morning and took hi, de-
partuie for the National Capital, there to
assume command Of tho troops near wash
ington.
The United States troops now in Western
Virginia occupy every considerable town aud
srategical point cast Of the Alcghanics, west
To the Ohio, and south to the kanawha val.
ley. They hold full possession Of the principal
railroad routes. turnpike roads, and Tho
mountain passes leading TO Eastern 'ir-
GINA. The presence Of the Union troops
has inspired confidence among tho people OF
this region. never enjoyed before, and they
ara now able to pursue their ordinary ayoca-
tions. in the full belief Of the ability OF tho
Federal Government to aib,rd them oil Dceer-
sary protection against the incursions and
raids Of their late opppssors-the rebels.
Since my arrival have mingled very con-
siderably with the inhabitants OF Eastern
Virginia, and from them | have received
statements Of innumcnble outragcs commit
ted by the rebels and rebel troops since tho
Commencement Of the present campaign.-.
The rebel military leaders, as they advanced
to meet the Union troops, Issued banning
proclamations to the people, making oil sorts
Of quasi patriotic appeals and promises; but
as their rebel army advanced, crime, theit
and robbery was concormitant. iiorscs,
cattle. grain, personal effects. aud indcrd ar-
tcles Of every description were either stolen,
or. what il next 20 the act, they gave tho
Inhabitants OF Virginia scrip hinplasters
ON which there is about one hundred Per
cent. discount, and payable sometime between
this and the millennium. The rich and tho
poor were alike victims of these outrages.--
Scarcely an inhabitant Of Western Virginia,
residing in or near where the rebel army 90
journed. that has not been robbed by the
scrip arrangement Of from one TO ten thou
sand dollars.
The people here speak in loud praise Of
the Union troops, when contrasting their
conduct with that exhibited by the rebels
The latter assumed TO be bono Of their bono
and acsh Of their aesh, ye. their fraternity
was exhibited ia outnges only. The Union
troops were represented to the people OF
Western Virginia as little less than barbari-
ans. whose only desire was to subjugaie tho
people and commit all sorts Of acts Of muir
der. rapine and robbery. The intelligent
people knew b tier than to believe the fa'se-
hoods Of the rebels, but the poorer elas-cs-
the agricultural CLASSES had little or no
means OF judging Tor thems ,sn ,,. u" a.,Ie
demonstration Of tbs falsity Of the charges.
When General Mcclellan entered upon tho
soil of Western Virginia, he isrucd tho most
peremptory orders TO his troops not 10 tako
ono cents worth OF value from the people
without aGording an ample return. and with
but few exceptions thesc orders have been
carried out, and when violated the culprit
has been punished in an exemplary man
ner."