The New York herald., 1862-01-13
INTERESTING FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
ITS DEFENCEs-MrNERAL wEALrH-TnE CONQUKSTs


THE REBEL MIsGOvERNhiENT.
The capacities OF the salnes in Smyth county for the
production Of salt are equal to four millions Of bushels
year for oil time The consumption Of the South Is about
three millions and half bushels Of salt per annum
that we have in single depository OF that mineral Ca
pacity for more than supplying the entire conederacy
these salnes are among the richest and most productive
In the world. Tho lead is Of most good quality,
from the amount Of labor employed Tho Confederate
government obtains nearly its whole supply Of lead from
these mines The value Of these lead veins only second
to that OF the repositories of salt hard by.
One of the largest iron foundres in Western Virginia
Is furnace in full operation in this county of
wythe We have already the fact that the Goa.
ederate government is in apprehension for ade.
quate supplies OF iron than Of any other mineral
without iron It would be poweress indeed. There are
now but four or five furnaces in full operation in Virgil
nia and there few IL any others operation in all the
Southern States This furnace and foundry in Wythc Is
ono Of the most important in the confederacy and Of
ncalculable value to the South at this time.
Extensive preparation has been made for tho manu-.
facture of saltpetre in Southwestern Virginia region
Astounding everywhere in limestone caves containing
most rich and extensive deposits Of earth strongly
pregnatcd with this mineral There is probably great
or capacity for the production Of satpctre Southwest
ern Virginia than in any other region OF the cnfederacy
Right through the heart of Southwestern Virginia
the great line of railway connecting Virginia. North
Carolina, tho Atlantic seaboard and the Confederate 60
vernment with Tennessee, kentucky Missouri, all tho
country east and west of the Mississippi of which the
great city Of Memphis is the centre, and all armies
in the West II the value military and civil of the vir
gnia Tennessee railway whether to the
or to the Southern public to be estimated by
parson would scarcely be exravagant say that the
destruction of this road would be injurious to the
South than that Of all the other roads within her borders
together.
The whole Of Western Virginia. except this invaluable
region Of the southwest, ,ct its salies, lead. iro salt
Jere and Invaluable railroad line has been siyeaded by
the government TO the North. Pierpons government has
been established by the aches Of Confederate
men, charged with the duty Of protecting the Southern
people and Satos All Of Western Virginia being turned
to Porpont except the Southwest with invalu
bio treasures would one in his senses believe that
that region had been denuded Of s soldiers and left
open and defenceless inviting prey the enemy? But
for the fact ariug the public in the face sarRg and
n.orous piece Of bectly would te absolutely
diie.
Such road such country, such treasury of inds.
pensabe minerals being abandoned to the enemy by the
oonfederacy, what is to be done2 Plainly this: the
Srate Of Virginia must herself nterpose and
provide the means requisite to its protection
and to her salvation. The delegates OF all
that region Of country, naturally ofeuded at the
condition in which their constituents have been left
devisng plan Of State action such will meet tho de-
mands Of the occasion. We trust that tter
will be speedy and effective. No time is TO be lost, and
expense spared TO make good the tenure OF Virginia
at least this portion OF her Western domain.