Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-01-14
Western Virginia Defenceless.

'00d ao00d. l
Western Virginia Defenceless. y
When we had large force operating in West
ern Virginia during the Fail months, in corse- t
quence OF an unusually wet season, the roads
were almost impossible 10 consequence of this
fact it was found impossible to transport supplies
in sufficient quantities from Jsckson's River
Depot to maintain such large force sc far troE
our Depot OF supplies. As it was su posed that
as the Winter se.son advanced the roads would
become even worse than they had been in the
Fall, and as it was thought that the -igor of the
prevent the enemy from attempting campaign
in tha: section of the State, our forces were with
drawn from Western Virginia that theJ might
be used more efficiently elsewhere. As, the
weather has been more favorable and the roads
in better condition than at any time curing
the Fall, tie belief that the Winter season and
the bad condition of the roads would furnish SUI
fcient protection to the loyal counties in that
section of the State has proven to be fallaclous.
The result has been that, since the with
drawal of tie troops, the citizens of the loyal
and patriotic counties of the West have beenih
perfectly defencelecs condition, liable at any
time to be overrun by the enemy, and to hare
their property destroyed or stolen, and their
homes rendered desoiate. Though probably the
greater portion of the forces of the enemy which
have been operating in Western Virginia have
been sent to invade, pl1nder and destroy, in
ofhor mario IF tbo rfo5o some have
been left at the Mouth of Gauley; scme at Fay
etteyille, the county seat of Fayette; some at
Summersville, the county scat of Nicholas; some
at Sutton, tile county seat of Braxton; some at
Valley Mountain, and some at other places in
Western Virginia-a sufficient number to do q
great deal of mischief and to keep the defence
less loyal citizens in continual anxiety and a.
larm. The recent raids of the enemy in Green-
brier and Pocshontas counties attest this fact
As nearly all the troops who volunteered in
Western Virginia have been taken from their
homes, which are now daily threatened with in
vasioD, and have been sent to other fields, North,
East, West and South, the people feel that they
have been badly treated, and their murmurings
and complaints, if not loud ant long, are deep
take their al ms from them, as has BEEN done
and to take all CT their own volunteers, and theI
to withdraw the forces and Leave them to the
cruel mercies of ruthless foe If their owl
volunteers would be allowed to remain to Ge
tend their own section, their homes, affairs and
fresides, they would lot ask any additional forcs
as they believe that with them they can success
fully defend themselves, if not drive the enemy
acro.s the Ohio River. To leave these loya
people in such helpless and defenceless condi
ton would have the very worst possible effect
1t should be remembered that the enemy are no
only making military demonstrations in tina
section of the State, but that they also CLAIM
ca0aL jurisdiction. They have recently proclaim
ed, by conventional edict, that the counties o
Greenbrier, Monroe, PocahoLtas, Mercer, & Nc
Dowell are lncOnditionaly annexed to th,
Estate of Western Virginia, governed by Pier
~ pont. This il the very section of the State from
which ocr 10 ces have been withdrawn-thu
aiding Lincola and Pierpoat to accomplish thei
diabolical purposes. We are pleased to know
that the atten ton of tie proper authorities ha.
been called to the unfortunate condition of af-
IdlTS III luAI our Obdt0. duQ tudt Solils
steps have been taken looking to the protection
of tie loyal counties now threatened by the en-
emy. ~
Col. Alex W. Reynolds, a native of Green
brier cornty, former U. S. officer, and brave
and gallant t.ian, has teen appointed to the com
mand in that section with authority to raise
Brigade. We hope the people will readil
promptly and cheeftully respond to the call ht
will make u.soc them to rally to the defence o.
their homes ard the honor of their State Col
Jacksons reg't, (22d) composed Ct volunteers from
the Western part of the State, has been sent to
Lewisburg. The 9Th Virginia Cavalry Regi
--inent commanded by Col. Waller II. Jenifer, OF
Maryland, has been ordered to Mercer county.
We are gratihed to see that our immediate rep
resentative in the Senate of Virginia-Bolivar
Christian, Esq,-has called the attention of the
Legislature to the undefended condition of West
ern Virginia. His resolution will be- found in
another column.