Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-10
From the Richmond Dispatch.1
From the KanaHha Valley,

Gen. Wise utter the IorieS-He talks to a Preacher
and converts Rim--He piU driUs QUO the snakes
s CHARLESTON, Kanawha, July l. 1861.
Gen. Henry A. Wise reached this town on Wednes-
day last, escorted by fine cavalry company and
attended by his staff. Col. c. @. Tompkins has
accomplished miracles in organizing his military
force here considering difficulties he had to
tend with. Capt Patton commanding at a camp
some miles below here, has his camp in thorough
military order as am informed by those who ac-
companied General Wise in a visit on Friday last
The state Of public sentiment in this immediate
region is sound and public spirit aroused andactve
for defence. few months longer of apathy on the
part of the people, deception the part of partizans
and neglect the part of public authorities, and
this beautiful valley would have been in the hands OF
the enemy. Its Importance to them in a strategic
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 incalcuable value; it contains, in
addition, a cannon foundry, now an experiment, but
destined to succeed But more important than all,
is the reaction and refrigeration Of public sentiment
by the presence of an army, and leader among the
divided and hesitating population. Encouraged by
Federal lnSOlence and domestic treaChery powerful
and organized bands of traitors, so-called Union
men" have knotted together in many localities, de-
fled the State authorities and invited invasion from
Ohio. Had invasion from that quarter anticipated
the possession of the strongholdS by army, dis
loyalty would have been stamped permanently on
whole regions OF country from here to Parkersburg
and thence eastward. As it is we shall reclaim the
most Of it, and ultimately req assesses it ALL
General Wise is pursuing no equivocal policy to-
wards traitors. He has proclaimed, from the mo-
ment lie entered upon his mission, that snakes
should Turk 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. Accordingly,
many have been arrested and subjected tn eXamina-
ton as to their loyalty and intentions One of their
leaders from Clay county apparently honest though
mIsled and wOfully ignorant was arrested by Capt.
Caskie. General Wise examined him, with a view
to release or hand him to the civil autEori-
ties, as the evidence might dictate. He a Bap-
fist preacher, magistrate, and a member of a
Home Guard" disloya to the State. He was re-
leased upon his voluntary statement and the evil
dence but not until our leader had given him talk.
Such talk it has seldom been my fortune to hear
never, except from the same source. Tears stood
in the old Tory eyes, and miSts Of doubt and mis-
apprehension as to his duty seemed clearing up in
his countcnance No oath, no promise was exacted
from him but volunteering his profession of loyalty
in future to Virginia and the Confederate States he
shook Gen. Wise warmly by the hand and left fo-
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 occurred, and but one man has been
retained and handed to the civil authorities to
though long a resident Of the Valley.
Our forces here are IN good health both in and
out Of the Legion; in the latter but death has
occurred and that private in the White Sui phur
Rifles, from Monroe county.
The Blues, under Captain o. j. WISE are great
favoriteS everywhere, and whenever they march
through a town bouquets are blooming over the very
muzzleS of their muSketS Both the Richmond COM
panies are expecting active service immediately, and
if fight occurs you shall have report until then,
nothing.
I send you a Cincinnati paper, but ere it reaches
you its news may be stale
As to the movements of the enemy give you the
following authentic: Civil war is certainly raging
in Gimer county; the Federal forces united with
Tories are estimated at 600 while the loyal troops,
composed of organized companies from Calhoun and
Gimer are only put at 200 The enemy have given
over administering oaths and releasing, in that Sec
ton, and now imprison force into the hostile
army.
On Friday night company F. Of the 18th Ohio
regiment, numbering about 100, came to Ripley,
about 40 miles from here, the Parkersburg road.
and remained some time, refreshing themselves and
horses on the quiet citizens. Some Virginia officers
who we're there, recruiting presume escaped by
doffng the uniform. The enemy left, il said,
for Ravenswood, a considerable distance further on
towards Parkershurg. Whether they came from the
force at Parkersburg not, did notearn. Doubt
less you will in the Northern papers bril-
liant victory announced at Ripley.
What their foe at Parkersburg is l am unable
to say. Fortunately, Gen. Garnett demands all their
attention at PhipPi, and have no doubt Parkers-
burg is held only securing them the railroad, and
not as a base of operations in this direction.
If Garnett could get around and behind Phllippi,
he would rout them and the thing is not impOSsI-
BILE You need not he surprised to hear of a bril-
liant victory in that quarter at any moment. L.
P. S.-Since writing the above three more trail
tors have been brought in to Gen. Wise. They are
from Roane county, and one Col S. A. Roberts)
was member Of the Wheeling Convention. They
will be handed over to the civil authorities and in
dicted for treason, with count under the new ordi-
nance of the 10Th June last Scouts out for more
such game. L.