Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-11-09
The Proper Military Policy to be
Pursued in this Department..
BEVERLY, WEST VIRGINIA, l
OcIohpF Dc 1862 7
October %, 1863.

Editors LnteLkigeaeer:
Using the argument of the old snilor,
when praying to be delivered from ship
wreck because of "this being the first time
of asking favor" hope I.may be allow
ed the privilege of giving expression to
my views through the medium of your pa
per, upon a subject, us conceive os much
importance to the people of the new State
and loyal men generally.
In your paper of the 23d inst, you call
attention TO the reports of joint commit
tee of our legislature, whose duty was to
''consider of, aud devise some plan to in
sure more efficient defense of the persons
and property of citizens, against the com
mon enemy" which proceedings, notwith-
standing have been q constant reader of
your paper, has hitherto escaped my notice
the only excuse for which 1 can offer is,
that my attention was absorbed by the war
news, of which your paper has ALWAYS q
good supply. Under these circumstances,
therefore, l have no reflections to cast
against the originators of this plan, las
conceive it) of getting rid of one who
seems to me an efficient commander, but
will simply give my objections to the pro-
positions contained in the minority report
of tho committee.
In the first place, il were able to sug-
gest disposition of troops, tue adoption
of a policy, or the increase or diminution
of particular arm of tho service, that
would be calculated more effectually to
prevent the grievances set forth in the
preamble of the minority of that Commit
Tee, whether, | was acting in the capacity of
| representative of the people or that of a
civilian. l should deem it my duty to en-.
brace the FIRST opportunity OF laying my
plans before the public, that the depart.
ment commander might avail himself of all
the advantages to be derived from that
plan this however, is not tue usual course
now a days pursued, it too frequently hap.
pens that some ono without the capabiIity
of suggesting any improvement himself, is
ready to assnil the policy or reputation of
others, no matter how sound aud judiciuus
that policy, or high the reputation for pat
riOtism aud efficiency in the service.
Now have never been newspaper cor
| respondent, nor 10 the habit of giving NV
opinion publicity about this or that General
| or his policy. have no personal Scuuain-
lance with Brigadier Gen. Kelley, nor have
any ambitious ends to attain in the es-
pOusal of his cause. am a union man and
Western Yirginiau. Ny actions against
the rebellion have been coeVal with its ex
istence, and have endeavored to keen
steadily in view the good of our country
and the welfare of mankind, and so far as /
am advised think an attempt on the part
of any one TO show that our department
commander has not been actuated by a
like spirit, must prove utterly futile
must confess that TO have heard the railipps
of ambitious men for twelve or fifteen
months past, against that officer, one would
now be surprised that he had held and 40
creditably discharged the duties of his Of
Zee.
Upon the whole must confess am fla
vorabiy impressed with that officer. /
take him to be aa honest, faithful and i'm
partial servant of that Government yrboss
cause he SO early and earnestly espoused
consider the line of policy pursued Inv
him the beat that can be adopted for the
peculiar people with whom he has TO deal
and argues q sound, practical mind.
Now think the best and only way 70
prevent the small inVasions alluded to is
Tor our soldiers charged with this duty to
use the same diligence and make the same
sacrifices that the thieves and raiders
themselves do. Here lies one great obsta-
Gle. There are many others that auy "a
tionRl mind, acquainted with the country
through which such bands pass. must con.
slider insurmountable.
l hope, therefore, that the eIoouenoe
held in reserve for the discussion Of die
Propriety of the proposed removal NAV be
Withheld or IaTished in more righteous
cause. aud that the General may Continue
% add fresh Iaurels to his brow, until his
enorLs are crowned with success, and his |
sun set IN q peaceful eoun,ryof united aud |
happy people. GAyEE.