Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-03-20

Ysars..jeG Davis D Pillow and
Rloyd. -.
John Lstchsr, Governor of Virginia,
h,a issued the following proclamation !:
"a PaocLAMAr1os.-D By the Govern
q, of Viroinia.-The President OF the
Confederate States has called Tor 4o,Ooo
additional troops from Virginia. This
call affirms that the exigencies OF the
nublic service require, in order to rePel
the invasion of Virginia, that her sons
be called out 10 her defence more spec
div than can be done under the opera
ton Of the Law recently enacted BY her
LEGISLATURE No call like this has ever
vet been made upon the State in vain.
Every nerve must be strung. Every
son Of Virginia must respond With an
ardent zeal TO defend the Commonwealth.
Those subject to military duty are alone
required to perform this service, but
gallant volunteers who come vi h the
will TO do or die for this great cause will
be given a place in our ranks. ms
war has attained point which requires
brave men and true patriots to leave
their homes and grapple tterniy win
the foe. We will not tamely submit 10
DEGRADATION or slavery. We will have
Virginia independent and all our liber-
ties maintained, or perish in the attempt
to secure them.
"Therefore, l, John Letcher, Govern
or of The Commonwealth OF Virginia.
! BY virtue of authority vested in me by
the constitution and laws, do hereby
reoure the militia and the volunteers OF
the respective counties and cities named
in the schedule hereto annexed, to repair
forthwith to the respective places as
signed them, without waiting for further
orders. Move a: once to the places des'
lgDated."
The document is much longer, but
the remainder is occupied by details
for the mastering and rcndezyoasing OF
troops. There are five places named a.
rendezvous, viz: Winchester, Manas-
sas. Fredericksburg, Norfolk and VIII.
llamsburg. Two OF these points, 1t VIII
be noticed, are now in possession OF the
national forces, thong it was Wednes
day last that the Virginia rebels we're
ordered to rendezvous there by the Gov
ernor.
The Richmond Examiner, comment
ing upon this proclamation, says:
yesterday, the stupeudous procla'
matiau of John Letcter, startled the
people of this State as if the earth had
opened under their feet. Declaring
that the President had called on tie
Commonwealth tor 10000 additional
troops he orders, not 10000, but the
entire male population OF Virginia, be-
tween the ages Of le and As, to get up
Immediately and march out into the
fields, without food, without arms, with
ont tent., not to be subjected to draft,
but to serve in body during the war.
This lie the 'calp of which Letcher
speaks. The Legislature passed law
for a draft at the present time 10 meet
this call; Le,cher neglected to execute
The law ,he Legislature called him to
account for il, and he wreaks his ven
| geauce on the whole population Of the
State, by ordering them, without the
warning of day, without preparation
or provision, to 60 aud lie down togeth-
er IN the open fields.
"Real madness or much whisky may
have their parts in this sudden overturn
of a whole society; but above and
through them both this purpose is clear
" evident to produce as much confus-
ion and en- EMBARRASSMENT as possible, to
render the public defence an odious SER
vice, to distIe the people in the utmost
extent, to harass and apnov all classes,
Till the war for our independence be-
comes an uncomfortable curse.
"The question comes up to every
mind, what are we to do? We would
willingly give hopeful or consolstory
answerif we knew one, but there is none
to give.
"Alas, poor people! !. Between Lin.
coin within and Letchcr without your
case is indeed sad one. Unless the
onfedsrate government. can interfere
for your protection, then put your trust
in God, fer there is no other friend for
you"
On the 18th instant jeff Davis sent
to the rebel Congress copies OF
ch official reports as he had re-
ceiyed touching the surrender o! Fort
Doncson, accompanied by the following
message;
"ExEcUTIvE DEPARTMENT, March, II.
40 the Speaker Of the House Of Representatives
6. transmit herewith copies of such
official reports as have been received at
the War Department ofthc defence and
fall of Fort Doneson.
"They will be found incomplete and
unsatisfactory. Instructions have been
given to furnish further information upon
the several points not made Ineligible
by the reports. 1t is not stated that
achievements were at any time asked
Tor, nor is it demonstrated to have been
impossible TO have saved the army BY
evacuating the position; nor is it known
by what means it was found practicable
to Withdraw a part Of the garrison, leav.
my the remainder to surrender nor
upon what authority or principle of &C.
ton the senior Generals abandoned re.
spons'blty by transferring the com
mand to junior officer.
IN former communication to Con.
gress, | presented the propriety Of a
>upension Of judgment in relation to
the disaster at Fort Donclson until
official reports could he received. Ire
greet that the information now received
is so defective. In the meantime.
hoping that satisfactory explanation
mad be made, | have directed, upon the