Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-28
THE VALLEY AND THE WAR.
WV. 7. kUsFoRD,
Chairman

There has been great deal Of talk about the probs.
billy OF beautiful and fertile Valley being given Up
TO the depredat0ns Of the Yankee army. II the Con.
Tolerate Government has ever bad auy such intention,
it must lave been because they did believe had
available forces sufficient to hold IL else they have not
appreciated the reel value Of this meet productive
ton OF the State
We have met with very intelligent gentlemen, from
the States further South, who had formed very
opinion, to the extent and resources, Of THAT
they had often heard Of the Valley oil Virginia"
They had pictured to their minds long strip
OF land between two mountain ridges Inhabited by few
rather Iuie and hardy men, very much sosted in po-
siLion and knowing but little OF the of the world
In fact there men in tie eastern and southern
parts of Virgins who think that tbs Valley is rather
uconsderable portion Of the State. They not 10
be aware, that we do towards sustaining the
war; than all the cities from Norfolk TO New OeaDs
Il would be exceedingly desira le TO hold our
board cites tt could be done without too much cost but
il 10 greatly important TO hold beet agricultural
regions. Oar armies must be fed
Let US look ltte iEto the capabilities OF this section
of the STATE We have seventeen counties extending
from the Tennessee line TO the Potomec,.vz Washing
ton, Smyth, Wsthe, Pulask, Montgomery Roanoke,
Botetour RockJridgs, Augusts, Rockingham, Page,
Shen indoah Warren, Frederick, osFkP, Jefrson and
Berkeley.
By tle.census Of 1880 he latest we have before ue)
thesu seventeen counties contained population OF
22l 600 The annual produc. OF whed, WAS 3,i3j 800
il more than fourth Of the whole product OF the
STATE reported that date; aud at less three times
much as IL needed for home consumption. The quantity
Of Ind an corn reported 297 025 bushels about
90 bushels for every inhabtan'; and about eighth
Of the whole product of the State.
The annual product of hay was 10000 tons which
has been increased least % per cent, aud
q. tba: time 1850 third Of all the nay produced 10
the State
The aggregate vslue OF live stock reported I0r too
Vsll-y counties Sl, 2ls $50, being more than
fh of all reported tor the STATE sud making ave.
rage value OF $50 for every man, woman aud chic white
aud black, WITHIN this entire region.
Adj to oil this the large quantities OF rye, G barley
potatoes &C. and idea be formed OF what this
section OF the STATE can do towards feeding army It
would be very sato 10 conclude that could feed tee
our present population Or il we estimate that folders
eat and waste doube the quantity Of food necessary for
them at home NC mag to conclude that We could
feed al army of 100 900 from year TO year. for an
irdtfEiie length Of Time
We have also ether valuable resources. The greater
part OF the Of the State is obt,ced from this Val.
ley. The abundant Of lead and salt in the
Confcdsracy g in this Valley.
Can our Government, then, think Of giving up such
region of country Better far give up Richmond, and
egery city on our in possession. Ihe Fed
eral Government know its value them in css Ibey
succeed in their invasion Of the Southern States
ald they holding themselves in readiness to sez, it,
whenever they DO go with safety Lexington GGz.