The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1863-07-09
NUMBER L.

''1S' So'o'nlhehV' pOSslOlb tHeSo
raids should be prevented, and the guer
rillas should bo extcrminNted; and Il IL
our duty 10 cooperate with tho Federal
authorities to accomplish this purposc
We have had assistance from tho Gov.
ornment; we have reason 10 expect more
efficient aid in the future; but my own
experience and observation have cousiu,
cad me that il the militia Of the Stale
were properly organised and armed, they
might be made very effective in cooper
Ouug with the government forces in ohr
midst in times Of danger, That our pso.
pie are ever ready to defend their homes
was made manifest by tho noble res:
ponsc to tho cOll mado on them during
the late raid. WherOvor arms could be.
had they were ready and willing hands
TO do effective work; and at some points
there were acts of bravery on tho part
Of the militia, that woull have reflected
credit on the vetOrn sotdiery But the
people loyal rs well as disloyal. throughA
out the greater part Of tie State have
been disarmed for tho lOudablo and pa.
triolic purpose of preventing the arms
from falling into the hands Of the enc
my. They were in tho hands Of single
individuals at their homes in tho conn.
try and the guOrrilas in sufficient mum. :
bors would visit house, demand tho
gun, and carry it of, and in this way
they were getting great many arms -
Now, | recommend the following plan,
which will require legislation TO give the
Executive power 10 carry It into effect.
Provide arms for all the militia; lot each
company bo divided into eight classes,
the classes to be required 10 do duty in
regular succession, so that part Of each
company will be on duty all tho time;
that those OH duty for tho time bo re.
1uired 10 scout tho country vigilantly--
hunt down guorilAs-and in case of the
approach Of any considerable force Of
tho enemy to give notice 10 the COM
nanding officer Of tho regiment, and 10
arouse the militia of tho surrounding
country. In this way thcrO will be q
squad OF twelve or fifteen armed mon
on duty in every ngighbofhood Of the
State al ! tho time, and in case OF neces.
sity the whole militia OF county could
be aroused and under arms in few
hours. Ifsuch an organization is per-
fected tho arms will be safe in the hands
of the people, and Il will certainly be
eilectual in clearing the country Of guer.
rillas and in keeping Il cleared; and, 4
seems 10 me, It will bO a powerful shx.
iliary TO the Government forces 10 fosist.-
ing any raid that may be attempted hy
the moro considerable forces Of rebel
-sOldioIy The people viii soon feel
consciousness oftheir own strength, and
il will give confidence aud restore peaca
to the country. | would not pay the
men for their timc, as they will be re-
quired to give only obott one week oul
Of two months to the service. This
they will no doubt do cheorfully il it
will give them safety, as, in many parts
Of the State they loose more time than
will THUS be required ofthetfi on sccotint
Of the frequent cxcilementa, and in se4
creling themselves and their property
from the enemy. II tho osame officers
arc kept on duty all the time Il will ba
necessary to pay ihom, but this expense
may be avoided BY changing the OFF.
cers from timo. II Il be thought that IN
some of the counties il NAV be unneces.
sary to keep any portion Of tho men I'M
der arms constantly, It may be left to
the discretion OF the Executive 10 SUBJ
stirute drilling by companies at stated
periods in such counties ns he may des.
ignite. In addition to the time that
will thus be given to the service Of the
country by our people, there will bo 70.
qnircd an appropriation Of money 10
purchase arms and ammunition, to pay
the expense Of cffccting the organization
and 10 provide subsistence for the men at
certain points. 1t may be said that tho
present militia laws are sufficient for the
organization suggested, but / have ex.
amined them and think not.
II may be objected that West Virgin
ia has furnished more than her quota Of
troops TO the service ofthe Government,
and is, therefore, entitled to projection.
This may true. But i, must bo rcntctf,.
bered that our position is such that 10
has required great sacrifices. We ara
in part The great barrier between tho
North and the South. Ont coanlrs has
been battle ground, has been oteruu,
devastated and laid waste; and yet | feel
proud TO believe that the loyal sons of
West Virginia viii he glad TO mako sill
further sacrifices If they can but contrib
ute to tho support of the Governments
and to the peace aud security Of Tie
country.
For more than Two years tho people IN
number OF the Southern States have
been in armed rebellion against Tho Gov