Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-02-18
MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
Defence Of the Cities and Towns Of Vir.
g:nia..Views of the Governor.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, I
Fab II 1902
Gentlemen Of the Senate and


Gentlemen OF the Senate and
House Of Delegates:
A crisis is upon US. The results Of recent re-
verses to our arms at Mill Spring, Fort Henry,
and Roanoke Island, appeal in the strongest
terms to our patriotism, and demand an exhibi-
tion of all our energies, an uncompromising spirit
and stern and determined resolution.
The exigencies Of the times are not duly ap-
preciated by many of our people; the dangers
which environ us are too lightly estim ated.
We must see and feel their mmnence before
we can be aroused to that action which is nec-
essary to save US from alarming Ills, and to avert
evils which threaten existence, our peace
and our organization as government. The re-
suits referred to should be sufficient to arouse
the people of the Confederacy, to stimulate and
call into action all our energies physical and in
telectual. #HE H4# ffFFtst
1t cannot but be apparent to every mind that
the object OF our enemies is to cut off our South
ern connections by railroad and otherwise, and
to defeat the transportation from one point to
another with certainty and celebrity, as our ne
cessities may demand. This result accomplish.
ed, and one great step will have been taken to-
wards their success and our subjugation.
1t becomes us, therefore, to perfect our organ
zation, and bring into active use all our strength
to defeat the designs of willy and unscrupulous
foe, whose march has been marked by brutality
bloodshed and plunder. Every citizen of Rich
mond ought to feel and know that the posses.
sion of this city is an object of the most earnest
and anxious desire on the part of our enemies
Its mechanical aud manufacturing interests are
doing SO much to uphold the southern Confede.
racy, that its loss to US would be well nigh ire
parable. 4.<3
The various propositions which have been
made by Lincoln to his allies to parcel out the
territory of the Commonwealth make the posses
sion and subjugation of Virginia an object not
less desirable. The casual observer cannot have
failed to see these things, and they should rouse
up every latent feeling of patriotism that slum-
bers within him, and bring it into prompt and
decisive action. 31
The defence of Richmond, Norfolk, Freder-
icksburg, and other parts of the State, is of the
utmost Importance, and to secure this defence,
we must at once take steps to secure organiza-
tlon, and bring an efficient corps into the field,
therefore recommend
lst. That the male population of the cities and
towns be divided into those subject to ordinary
and extraordinary draft-the first class to en-
brace those between Is and 45-the second class
to embrace those between 16 and l8, and those
between As and 60 years of age.
I'd. To authorize tie Governor, when inform
ed by the President of the Confederate States OF
the urgency for so dong, to call out both classes
Tor nome defence-to make rules and regulations
Tor their organization into companies and regi-
mehts, in conformity with the laws of Virginia,
and require all places Of business to be closed
at = O'Clock, P. M, and the whole force drafted
as aforesaid, to turn out for discipline and in
| Struction.
Sd. The ordinary draft to be ordered, if neces-
sary, to defend any lines OF approach to the town
or city to which they belong-ihe extraordinary
draft not to be required to serve beyond dis
tance of five miles from the town or city to
which they belong.
4th. To include in such drafts all persons So
Journing in the cities towns for period longer
| than ten days.
9th. None to be exempt from any other reason
than service in the State or Confederate States.
If this is considered hard service, let the peo-
pie of the cities and towns recolect that the peo
pie of New Orleans, Charleston, Mobile and Sa-
vannah have adopted this policy, and have stead.
lily practised it for months past. The people Of
Richmond and other cities and towns in Virginia
are just as much exposed as those of the othel
cities have named, and should be willing te
sacrifice as much for the common cause, in the
way of ease and comfort.
If the Legislature will pass law, the patriot
ism of the people of Virginia will respond to it
| and show that they are not less ready to make
all necessary sacrifices for the common cause
than those of any other State in the Confede
racy. Respectfully,
/