The national Republican., 1862-08-16
Correspondence Of the National Republican.
Interesting from Martinsburg.
MAarrrssuao, Va, August Is, lst

MAarrsssuRo, Va, August Is, 1862.
The small back towns In this vicinity, situ.
ated away ron the weli-guarded railroad, are
kept In . continual state Of excitement, BY the
raids Of mall guerilla parties. raised. for the
most part. among the pretended Union farmers
and low whites. and led on by retained rebel
volunteers and ex.Ashby's cavalrymen. They
seldom come near or very near our lines, but
confne their operations to plundering any one
who has anything they can steal, and occasion
ally shooting at our most isolated pickets.
Col. Cameron, Of the Sixty. fifth Illinois vol.
unteers, and commandant Of this post, ID Per.
feet terror 10 these miserable robbers. Scarce
ly day passes that bis scouts do not capture
| from one TO twenty Of them. Six Of the most
villainous- looking creatures l ever saw were
brought In by bis scouts from the mountains
this morning, examined by the colonel, and
sent to Gen. Wool. Two Of them owned up to
having belonged 10 Ashby's cavalry. They
are all In Fort McHenry ere this.
The arlstocracy here are, as usual, rampant
and defiant rebels. They comprise nearly one
half the population, or, perhaps, nearer one
third. One-third are for the strongest side
fair Union now, and good Secesh when jackson
holds the place; while at least one.third are
1
bone every time. First and for ward among the
lest named l. Mr.. u. X. wysoug, the postmaster
Of Martinsburg.
The nst mentioned classs are incorrlgable
nothing but the strict enforcement Of the recen
con6scation and emancipation acts OF Congress
will ave them. The enforcement Of the law
they need, and the enforcement OF the laws I
just what they should have, they "a well o. 81
otbers. No good citizen need object 10 the On
forcemspt Of the laws, and no rebel influence
should stand In the way.
spirit In the provost marshal's ONCE this morn
ing. Two young ladies came In for pas
They were required TO subscribe to the oh o
allegiance, but objected, still insisting the,
must have pass. Acting provost marshal
Lieut. John r. Floyd, gave them all the requl
site Information a TO the nature Of the oath
the form, &C., was polite, but firm. At lengtl
they concluded to take the oath, but when re
quired TO hold up their hands," the most re
bellious one declared Il was too muoh; Oh
was willing 10 subscribe 10 the oath, but no
willing TO hold up her hands. She was polit4
ly informed that shs must be content 10 stay q
home for the present, whsreupon abe nung bel
sell out ofthe office In high indignation, vow
Ing oil sorts Of vengeance on the Union an
Union officers 10 particular.
The second class mentioned, the Neutrals,
can be manufactured over into pretty faI
|, Union men. A 6rm Government is what the
need, and it's what they are getting st The hand
Of the provost marshal, Capt Kennedy, Of th
: 6sth III. volunteers. Whatever is law or mil
, tary Instructions. they can depend that Cap
Kennedy will carry them out to the letter, Wit
Hrmness but without unnecessary bsrshness.
On the whole, think We may reckon on tn
dsvslopemsnt OF q healthy Union eenument
, Asrtlnsburg and vicinity, II the con6scaton Q,
Ia enforced.
witnessed some splendid rifsd artillery Ia
get practice yesterday by Capt Phillips, Of u
I'd Illinois light artillery. But I sm maxim
this letter too loug-oould make It more Int
esting had not the fear Of the military mpe
vision and my obligations to my country befol
; my eyes WIN write again from Winchester