The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-10-17
For the Virginian.

MEssRs. EDITORS Though a stranger to
you personally, yet as have of late been ira
Yelling over a portion of enr State, where the
footprints of an invading foe is yet visible, l
have concluded to drop you a line, not doubt
ing but it will be kindly received, and, per-
haps, read with some degree of interest, at
least, by a portion Of your numerous readers.
But before | say any thing of the doings OF
these vandals Of the North, permit me to call
your attention to an organization recently
gotten up with the view Of securing the dis
loyal portion of our Northwestern border. and
to assist our gallant friends, who have long
been in exile, again to return to their once
peaceful and happy homes.
The organization spoken of; has. been got
ten up by Col. Ambrose G. Damn, from Ma
ryland, gentleman according to the incest
definition Of the term, and an officer who Will
grace, and do honor to any position that may
be assigned him. His Battalion is almost a
complete medley, being made up by eompa-
MES and men from almost every State In the
Southern Confederacy. His staff, a polished
set of gentlemeD, are, first, Thos- Hardy, jr.,
1Adiutant, from Norfolk CITY: Chas. C. Dun
can, Kanawha, Va, Quartermaster; J. Il.
Smoot, CON-, Alexandria, Va; g. S. Herbert,
Sergt. Maj, Savannah, Ca; Thos. Hudson,
Or. M. Sergt., La.;s s. A. Carson, Com. Sergt.,
Va. Of the other officers and men we cannot
now speak individually. We know them,
however, to be gallant and brave, and expect
soon to have the pleasure of recording some
noble and daring deeds performed. They are
known by the appenatiun Of Partizan Ran
gers. believe the commands an independ-
ant one, duly constituted by q charter from
the Department, consequently its march and
its moves will mainly be directed by our pre-
sent commander. who has the eEtire conf
dence Of the whole Battalion, which is now a
bout 500 strong, and its strength constantly
increasing From these, you shall again heal
ere long.
I said I had recentl passed over a portion
Of our State which was lately in possession O
the enemy. Over this r.ssd + have travelled
in other days. and when peace, plenty and
universal happiness gave constant cheerful
>ness to the bold and romantic scenery thai
looms up continually along and within view
Of the road leading from the ..Kanawha Val
ley to that blue chain which separates the
two Virginias, the genius of romance still
hovefs over those wild perks 4of' nature, and
they yet stand proudly forth, bidding def
ance both to the storms Of clements and of
war. The once fruitful valleys too remain,
bat their silence and desolatibn seem to mourn
4 better day. Heaps sinoaldering ruin now
meet the eye, where stately mansions, smiling
faces and plenty, once made the weary ira,
Weller at home. But the work of these law.
less invaders has now been completed. They
spent fourteen months, sacrificed thousands
Of lives. spent millions Of dollars, incomnod.
ed some inoffensive women and children, and
have accomplished nothing farther than to
unite these people heneeforth and forever a
gainst them. The sceptre has in truth depart
ed from Judah, and if these Yankee thieves
ever venture up this valley again, four days
will be time much tpo short for them to gel
back again. MYRTILLIs.
Gauley Bridge, Va.