Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-08-07
To The Editors ofMs Enq"irer:
HALErsBURG P. o., LuNENErRG Co., Va, !
August 3, 1863.

August ), lSOJ.
Gentlemen: We would beg the indulgence
OF your columns briefly.
1t is realized fact, tat large areas of oul
territories along the border have bccn laid un
der the most severe and bitter want, through
the prosecution Of this waEtnn system of dc
struction, and wide sc,,:ons Of our domain
now dangerously vulnerable, must soon, we
fear, undergo the same painful ordeal, unleS:
timely prevcntatives be administered i'll the
way Of preparation.
What are the plans by which our enemy
propose to prosecute this anomalous system o.
warfare?
Constant raids of mounted troops into the
interior Of our lines is the Warwick by which
the design is to be put in execution.
Our immense losses in property Of every
character, rs result OF this mode oc war
fare lo-ctcil but too forc!biy Of what may be
accomplished by it.
The immense force Of cavalry, which Lin
coin proposes bringing int3 thE Iie!i, is orni
nuusiy indicative, !t Cmcr, Oi the grandeur OF
the scale unnn which it is 10 be conducted and
the yigor with wl:ir:l it is 70 be prosecuted. I>
not this section of Nirginia---thc middle south
rortIon-emincntly exposed to these dcstruc'
tive incursiOEs! Plain, common sense give
an affirmative response: nor will any SanC
man Doubt for q single moment that unless
some precautionary measures be at once ta-
ken, We may, before the wanc o! many moons,
feel the thruS, ug this two-c4grL sword in all
its horrid realities It IS maxim Of world
wide acquaintanca. t!!a: "cau:ion = the bet
ter part vr valor." Nor does it !,ccumc intel
H. e he cn1
past vibrating freshly before them, to dIsrc.
gard the great truth underlying this aIbor-
ism. 1t is almost entirely within the capacity
of the citizens of the counties Of Pit;Sylvania
Halifax, Mccklenburg, Brunswick, DinwiIdic
Luncnburg, Charlotte, Campbell, Appomat'
tox. Prince Edward, BHekinghanl Nottoway,
Amelia, Powilatan and Chesterfield to secure
themselves against such cncroachncnts by
rendering the pathway Of all such raids
"flooiy highways 10 icy bourns," with an
armed and determined resistance.
These counties embrace Il wide and pro-
ductive area of inralculablc worth 10 the
Confclcracy, and are well worth the cost and
trouble Of protecting.
Ey the immediate formation Of home
guards, minute men. whose splendid aud in
valuable services during the war in this State
and other portions OF the South add "hr yhi
particular star" to tn" galaxy Of our gioric>,
"a protcctoratc would hc reared, The w.rth Z!
which can hardly DC estimated y knowledge
Of the constant presence Of this chnrartcr OF
soldiery in our midst would act like q ci:arnl
upon our willy adversary and | warrant
raids into our midst would he but seldom per
pctrated and when made would result more
often in disaster than success. At the lowest
estimate each Of the above named counties
can furnish to the home guard list four hun
lred arms-bcaring men. maEingan aggregate
of six thousand an army equal 10 that which
followed Washington through greater por-
ton Of the seven years war. There is hut
little difficulty. and not more consummati":l
Of time to be realized in pcrfcctng this or
ganization. The government approaching
the availability Of such soldicry at this i'm,
portant era Of the war. proposes TO furnish all
the necessary equippage in the way OF arms
and ammunition, and denies to any official
or public asscmjla:c any scmblancc Of au'
.horiry to cali us, uaGcr this organization
beyond the limits 0f'Hsfr Cwn county, un:ess
by vote of the majority Of the respective
companies. There are some malconsents,
who were doubtless fiery patriots, 'die in the
ditch" men before the commencement Of thC
war, who would make the impression upon
the minds of the crcdulous that it is only Il
plan concoctcd by a few Of the gentlemanly
order to drag them from their homes.
Plain sense teaches us this is no time for
fun-making Unless our services were needed
the Government would call Us from our homes
in no capacity whatever. If our services arc
cmincntly essential, without consulting the
Willingness Of any one, all will he called al
once to thn iicla Notwithstanding opposition
has been riff, with some few. we are proud tt
say tile work is going brayely on. And We
would appeal TO every arms-bcarlng male
within the counties named, who is determined
t. be free, and is dcsirous Of doing something
for the cause, to Join the project AZ once
While cur brave protectors have given ur
home and all lis comforts, and sto"l a wall OF
living fire between Us and our enemy, 10! tEiC
past two years, we, AZ east, should bc willing
to protect ourselves, as far rs able, against
sudden dashcs to the rear Of our army
With the organization proposed we can ac-
complish much, without i: we will he entirely
unavailable and at the mercy Of any enemy
that may appear before Us.
Yours, &c., y. y. L.