Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-31

much more speedily put down Ihe bush
whaeksrs than imported soldiers. They
know the localities and hAunts and habits
Of the guerrillhs better, and are more acute
in fuding out their numbers and designs.
They are generally better marksmeu, and
/ to be good shot Is no mean qualification
when It cones to scouting and fighting in
the woods; and besides it seems more ft-
ting that those directly interested should
pat under the disturbers of their commu.
nifty, whenever their number il sufficient to
do so.
We would urge upon the people of the
section infested with bushWhackers an i'm
mediate olnnteer organization-something
ike the "home guard, :. but one that would
be more efficient and wider in its useful
ness. Their own defense should be the
prime object, but sometimes he best way
TO defend yourself is 70 take the offensive.
Ii We know an adversary intends to knock
as down, II is best to knock him down
first. In each community that is endan.
gered by these gueFriiias the very best way
for the Union men to defend themselves
Is TO organize into companies, pro.ure such
arms as can be bad and go in and clean the
buShWhAckerS out, if need be exterminate
them root and branch. Tue most difficulty
would be to procure arms, bat some
way would be found to obVIate that.
There are weapons enough for all who
want them to fight the rebels and some
way would be found to procure them. We
believe independent volunteer companies
Of the kind we suggest, would be the most
efficient organization that conld be created
for the determination OF the bush whackers
They might number from twenty-five to
6fty, according TO the population of the
communities where they were organ
lied. They need not be in service all the
time or half the time. They could have
their places Of rendezvous, aud when there
was no enemy in reach, could attend to
their peaceful vocations. The great point
gained would be that they would be ready
for united action whenever an lrruption of
the robbers took place. Peoples safety de-
ponds not so much on the absence of dan
ger As their readiness to confront it;
and organization gives not only strength
but courage.
Let an organization. something like
that suggested, be put in successful opera
ton in our troubled counties, and the
guerrillas could be exterminated, and COM
parative quiet aud, security restored in
three months but if the thing is 20 20 on
as it bias been going on, if regular troops
have to be distributed in those counties to
protect those who make no exsrtion TO pro.
tect themselves, there will be trouble to the
end Of the war. While this work is com.
mitled to troops unacquOinted with tht
country, the guerrillas will continue tc
evAde :hem. With their usual mobility
they will melt away wherever pressed, ant
suddenly appear at some unprotected pOinl
to renew their mischief. With an organi.
cation similar to their own in every com.
munity, and superior in numbers, they
would be confronted and held in check a
every point; they could hardly ind pIac,
of safetyI and if vigorously attacked
would inevitably go to the wall.
AT Beverly OF Huttonsville, as a military
point, it might be well to have stronger
force not so much for the purpose o
bunting guerrillas in the mountains around
as holding the road leading from StAuutou
over the mountains and down the Tygartl
Valley, inasmuch as leaving it open nigh
prove temptation to rebel cavalry to max,
dash over on our frontier. That however
is matter for the military authorities ts
decide. But the people in Randolph i
they would be secured from danger of be
ing PIuudered or murdered, should organ
ize at once, US they should in other coun.
ties similarly situated. Fight the .Devi
with FIRE if you want to vauquish him.