Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-01

NUMBER 23l.

aboves aud the fact shows that Fretn ont s
really devoting great deaIof energy 10
his department. -ai5f ~ 'TT.''F 20
Had these guerrfllas in the neighbor-
hood OF the south branch of the Potomnc
who were attacked by Col. Downey, been
left undistnrbed, they would haze lowered
upon the communication of Gen. Banks,
just across the ridge, intercepting supplies
and cutting off stragglers.
Operations of this kind, though seem
lngly Insignificant, are really among tho
most important of the campaign, for were
not these guerrilla bands to be got rid oi
they would greatly retard the progress al
our armies. and possibly detract from our
chances of success. These were the SER
vices which Fremont rendered with so
much skill in Missouri, and hence it was
that his lRrge force was divided and dis
persed through the whole State
lie has yet large amount of this sort of
work before him; the valley of the Kama
wha and all southwestern Virginia being
as yet infested with rebels. we could wish
that more details of this Campaign got
before the public, for we get nothing more
than the official telegraphic despatch from
Fremont himselfito the War Department.
but we look forward to the progress of
events with interest. When Fremopt,was
appointed, the general inquiry was, where
is he TO find an army2 1t. seems that he
has forces in the field. Already we hear
OF two OF his brigades in active service
those of Nilry and Schcnck, aud doubtless
others will appear 10 their appropriate
places somewhere ia the Department. So
far as we can gather from Fremonrs ope-
rations, his plan seoms to be to get rid
hnHily of all trouble in7 western Virginia,
reorganizs the loyal authority, extirpate
the Guerrillas, and then consolidate q II his
scattered forcesfor some grand attack. 1t
would not be surprising fiat that time he
should find himself in the feld at tee head
of full corps EGrmes. g1af esA ial
When Floyd and Lee invaded western
Virginia their large force was successfully
batted by Rosecrans with one eqgall-
ing II In SIZE, and so lar as we know, nous.
OF his army has been sent out Of that re
gion, though where the bFigldes of Tyler,
Cox, Morris, and Others, have been located
we are unHbIe to say. Benham had n bril-
gade there, which he was seut away from
when he was ordered to Washington. We
make no doubt, therefore, that a consider
aoie army has been kept idle in western
virginia, holding various positions, and uc-
comDlshtng no purpose whatever. Gen
'RosecrRns did his field work we'll, ana de-
serves credit therefO. But his military
talents pertained only to the mnn1uTring
of armies and the winning of battles, and
took in nothing of the condition of the oc-
cuptel country. Fremont has already
proved himself admirably adapted to the
duties now Contided to him. He will clear
western Virginia of guerillRs, as he did
Missouri, and before long his troops, con-
centrated IN one column, will move down
against more formidable foes than tue
scattered bandiiti of the mountain region.
Thus much justice is due to one who has
been made the target OF calumuy for his
career ut the west, and who is now nobIy
redeeming his name.