The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-07


From the Cincinnati Commercial, May 90 f9
On Monday afternoon at about o'clock,
General Mcclellan received information
that two bridges had been burned near
Pennington, on the B. & o. r. R., and
that arrangements had been made to burn
the Others between that point and Wheel
ing. The general had been making arrange
ments to move on Grafton in force, but
this intelligence caused him to hasten his
movements. He returned at once to Gin
cinnati and issued telegraphic orders for an
advance. The column was directed to
move from Wheeling and Belaire, under the
command Of Col. B. F. Kelley, LIST Vir-
ginia Volunteers another from Marietta,
on Parkersburgh, under Col. Stedman, 18th
Ohio Volunteers. These officers were d.
rected to move with caution, and to occupy
all the bridges, ETC., as they advanced. AT
midnight of Monday, the rebels evacuated
Grafton in great haste, on the news of the
approach of Col. Kelley, who will probably
be in possession of the place by day break
Of Wednesday.
The following proclamation to Virgini-
ans and address to the troops, were issued
by Gen. Mcclellan simultaneously with
the advance. The inhabitants have mani
tested the most cordial feeling to the troops:
GEN. MCCLELLAN'S ADDRESS TO THE
PEOPLE OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
HEADQUARTERS Dept OF TIE ONO,
CINCINNATI, May 26, 1861.
To the Union Men of Western Virginia:
VIRGINIANs The General Government
has long enough endured the Vaccinations
OF few factious rebels in your midst.
Armed traitors have in vain endeavored to
deter you from expressing your loyalty at
the polls; having failed in this Infamous
attempt to deprive you of the exercise of
your dearest rights, now seek to inaugurate
reign of terror, and force you to yield to
their schemes, and submit to the yoke of the
trait0rous conspiracy, dignifed by the name
of Southern Confederacy. They are de-
strcying the property of citizens of your
State, and running your magnificent rail.
ways. The General Government has here.
tofore carefully abstained from sending
troops across the Ohio, or even from posting
them along its banks, although frequently
urged by many of your prominent citi.
zens to do so. 1t determined to await the
result of the late election, DESTROYS that no
one might be able to say that the slightest
effort had been made from this side to infu-
ence the free expression of your opinion,
although the many agencies brought to
bear upon you by the rebels were well
known. You have now shown, under the
most adverse circumstances, that the great
mass of the people of Western Virginia are
true and loyal to that benefcent Govern
ment under which we and our fathers have
ived so long. AS soon as the result of the
election was known, the traitors commenced
their work of destruction. The General
Government cannot close its ears to the de-
mand you have made for assistance. l have
ordered troops to cross the river. They
come as your friends and brothers-as enc
mics only to the armed rebels who are prey.
ing upon you. Your homes, your families
and your property are safe under our pro-
lection. All your rights shall be religiously
respected.
Notwithstanding all that has been said
by the traitors to induce you to believe that
our advent among you will be signalized
by interference with your slaves, understand
one thing clearly only will we abstain
from all such interference, but we will, on
the contrary, with an iron hand, crush any
attempt at insurrection on their part. Now,
that we are in your midst, call upon you
to fly to arms and support the general gov
eminent. Sever the connection that binds
you to traitors proclaim to the world that
the faith and loyalty so long boosted by the
Old Dominion, are still preserved in West
ern Virginia, and that you remain true to
the Stars and Stripes.
(Sgned) G. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major General Commanding.
ADDRESS TO THE VOLUNTEER ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,