Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-09

tiles, and this beautiful valley would have been in
the hands of the enemy. It's Importance to them,
In srategeticsl point Of view, is very great, but
apart from this, It contains the Great Salt Works
on the banks Of the Kanawha, which, in view Of the
continuance of the blockade, are Of incaleulable
value; it contains, in addition, cannon foundry
now an experiment, but destined to succeed. But
more important than all Is the reaction and reinvig
GRAFTON of public sentiment by the presence Of an
army and leader among the divided and hesita-
ting population. Encouraged by Federal insoleRce
and domestic treachery, powerful and organized
bands of traitors so called O Union men, have
kneted together il many loeaties, dete1 tue State
authorities, and invited invasion from Ohio. Had
invasion from that quarter anticipated the posses
sion of the strongholds by our army, disloyalty
would have been stamped permanently on whole re-
gions OF country from here to Petersburg, ami
thence eastward. AS it is, we shall reclaim the
most of it, and ultimately repossess it all.
General Wise is pursuing no equivoca1 policy to-
wards traitors He has proclaimed, from the mo-
ment he entered upon his mission, that no sna keS
should lurk in the grass of the soil which he came
TO defend, to sting HIM when his back is turned, or
his head is up and toward the enemy. According
ly, many have been arrested and subjected to ex-
animation as 70 their loyalty and intentions One
of their leaders from Clay county, apparently hon
est, though misled ard wofully ignorant, was ar
rested by Captain Caskie. General Wise examined
him, with view to release or TO hand him over to
the civil authorities, the evidence might dictate
He was Baptist preacher, magistrate, and
member of Home Guardo disloyal ID the State
He was released upon his voluntary statement and
the evidence, but not until our leader had given
him a talk. Such talk it has seldom been my for>
tune to hear-neVeP, except from the same source
Tears stood in the old Tory's eyes, and mists of
doubt end misrepresentation as to his duty seemed
clearing up in his countenance No oath, no pro-
mise eXacted from him but volunteering his
profession of loyalty in future to Virginia and the
Confederate States he shook General Wise warmly
by the hand, and left for his home in Clay. Since
then we have heard fine accounts from him, the
latest being that his Home Guard" intended to
join the State service Similar instances have Oc
Cured and but one has been retained and
handed TO the civil authorities to be tried for
treason, and he was native of Ohio though long
a resident of the Valley.
As to the movements of the enemy give you
the following authentic: Civil war is certainly
raging in Gilmer County; the Federal forces united
with the Tories are estimated at GOO. while the 10y
al troops composed of organized companies from
Calhoun and Gilmer, are only put at 200. The enc
my have given over administering oaths and re-
leasing, in that section, and now mprison or force
into the hostile ARMY.
On Friday night, company T, of the 18th Ohio
regiment, numbering about 100. came to Ripley,
about 40 miles from here, on the Parkersburg road
and remained some time, refreshing themselves and
horses on the quiet citizens. Some Virginia officers
who were there, recruiting. presume, escaped by
doffiHg the uniform The enemy left, it is said for
Ravens wood, considerable distance further on to-
wards Parkersburg. Whether they came from the
force at ParkersbuFg or not, did not learn
Doubtless you will soon see in the Northern papers
g brilliant victory announced at Ripley.
What their force at Par ersburg is, am unable
to say. Fortunately, Gen. Garnett commands all
their attention at Phillipp and have no doubt Far
kersburg is held only securing them the railroad
and not as base of operation in this direction.
If Garnet cnuld get around and behind Phillippi
he would rout them and the thing is rot impossi
Bile. You need not be surprised to hear ofa brilliant
victory in that quarter at any moment
P. S.-Since writing the above, three more al
tors have been brought in to Gen. Wise. They are
from Roane county. and one (Col. s. A. Roberts9
was a member of the Wheeling Convention. They
will be handed over to the civil authorities, and IN
dicted for treason, with count under the new or
dinance of the 18th June last Scouts are out for
more such game
RAPID PREPARATIONS.
The Richmond Dispatch Of the 9TH says:
Brigadier General Floyd has within the space Of
twenty days enrolled, armed, equipped, and brought
TO q condition of most creditabe disciplne, two reg
iments of men, who viii be ready to march in five
days IRON this time. He expects to add yet another
regiment. The two now ready, at the camp near
Wytheville, are commanded by Coils A W. Rey-
nolds and Harry Heth, both accomplished officers,
late of the Federal army, They are both graduates
of West Point and Col. r. was elassmate of Gen.
Beauregard's. The regiment itself is said to be
composed of body of men who cannot be surpassed
for manly proportions, and all the native qualiti
Of the true SOidler. General flOyu mas accom-
plished wonders i'll bringing together and equipping
such body of men in brief a space of time
They will soon be on the march, hunting up the
rude and brutal foe who is now desacratng the soil
of Virginia
FROM WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
We find the following items in the Washington
Star of the evening of the 4th
The steamer Resolute reports all quiet down the
river and troops visible at any point No bate
ries have yet been erected at Matthias Point, nor
are there any signs of such an intention to be
seen
The ST. Nicholas having been taken up the Kappa
hammock river. the Pawnee goes down to-day to
ieve the Pocahontas at Aqua Greek, when the lat
ter will at once close the trap into which the ST.
Nicholas has been taken. She can be of no service
where she now Is, and Should she attempt to visit
the waters of the Potomac again, the Pocahontas
will. of course, send over compliment, with an In
vitatiOn to the crew to accept Uncle SANS" hos
FATALITIES.
Yesterday there were no Southern troops at vi
emma, though their scouting parties were lowering
around the village.
PREPARATIONS FOB MOVING.
A letter from Washington states that contracts
10 hat z-5n ho Had Ia Of