Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-06
From the Western Tirqinian

most lndustrlonsly la6ored to indoctrln
ate the people in the idea that the object
of the federal government and the fed
eral armies is to make war upon the peo'
pie of the Houthern States, their institu-
tions, their laws, their property, theil
homes and their fire sides. We have
heretofore, all along, com batted that
foul SANDER as best we could by publish
ing all official papers bearing upon the
subject and otherwise. And now we
have it officially here at home, address
ed especially to US as Virginiaus, by the
commander Of the gallant sons Of ouI
sister Ohio, who have come among us tc
protect US against the rebel hordes Of
JEFF. Davis, and to vindicate the Stars
and Stripes, that their mission here il
only to sustain tho same old Union
and Constitution that we Virgil mans
have for seventy-ive years sustained and
to protect all peaceful citizens in all
their rights, just as We have so often
proclaimed. But read the patriotic and
fraternal proclamation of Gen. Nc, Clel-
Ian.
Headquarters, Department cfMc Ohio,
May 26, 1851.
70 the Union Men Of UcStern Virginia:
Tirgini;ans ! The General Govern
m vent has long enough endured the ma
chiuations of u 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.
they now seek to lnaugurate reign of
terror, aud thus force you to yield to
their schemes and submit to the yoke Of
the truitorous conspiracy dignifcd by
the name OF the Southern Confcderacy.
They are destroying the property Of your
citizens of your State and running your
magnificent railways. The General
Government has heretofore carefully ab-
stained from sending troops across the
Ohio, or even from posting them along
its banks. Although frequently urged
to do so by many Of your prominent cit
liens, it 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
influence the free expression of your o.
pinious, 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 Wes-
tern Virginia are true and loyal to that
bcniGceut govern ment under which we
aud our fathers have lived so long. As
soon as the result of the election was
known the traitors commenced their work
Of destruction. The General Govern
mcnt cannot close its cars 20 the demand
you have made for assistance. have
ordered troops to cross the Ohio river. -
They come asyour friends and brothers.
as enemies only to the armed rebels who
are preying upon you, Your homes,
your families and your property are safe
under our protection. AL! your rights
shall be reIigiously respected, notwith-
standing all that has been said by the
traitors to induce You to believe that our
advent among you will be signalizcd by
interference with your slaves. Under.
stand one thing clearly. Not only will
We abstain from ali such interference,
but we will on the contrary with an iron
hand crush any attempt at instruction
on their part, not that We are i'll your
midst. call upon you to fy to arms
and support the gcacrai government, sew
cr the connection that binds you to trait.
ors proclaim to the world that the faith
and loyalty so long boosted by the Old
Dominion are still preserved in Western
Virginia, and that you remain true 10
the stars and stripes.
Gpo q. NChNan,
Maj General u S, A.. commanding
department of the Ohio.
Ncad Quarters cfMc Department of;h.
ohio.
May Doth 1861.
SOLDIERS. you are ordered to cross
The frontier and enter the soil of Virgin
ia Your mission is to restore peace
and coniidcnce--to protect the majesty
of the law and rescue our brethren from
the grasp of armed traitors. You are
to act in concert with Virginia troops
and to support their advance. | place
under the safe guard of your honor til,
persons and property ofthe Virginiaus
know that you will respect their feel,
ings and all their rights and preserve the
stric,est discipline. Remember thai
each one of you hold in his keeping the
honor of Ohio and the Union! If got
are called upon to overcome armed OPP
position | know that your courage is e.
quail to the task. but remember that youl
only foes are armed traitors. and sLox
mercy even to them when they are il
your power, for many OF them are mis-
guided. When under your protection
the loyal men of Western Virginia will
be enabled to organize and arm, they
can protect themselves and you can re.
turn to your homes with the satisfaction
of having preserved a proud aud gallant
people from dishonor.
GEO. b. MCCLELLAN.
Maj. Genera U. S. a..
Commanding the Dept Of the Ohio.
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