Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-09
Some sensiblo snrres.1o,,.,

/ Marriages, Notices Of RuuoraIs and announcement,
o- 1el Nuns OV cents each. nony11-'69
| Some Sensible SuEgestIoms.
Editors Intelligenccr;
+ Situated, as we are, on the frontier. and
| experiencing daily the blasting effects nj
this civil war, we naturally occupy our
tdte moments in devising means and spec
uianug in regard to the most likely meth.
tod Of securing the present and future safe.
ty'ot both life and property, and with the
least expense, in the most eflectuaI man
ner, and within the shortest space of time.
Ihls subject has occupied our attention
loF some time, and after mature reflection,
tnorough Investigation, and careful calcu-
latlon OF the cost, we have come to the
conclusion that the Government will save
both men and money-the-ci citizens of
west Virginia receive two fold protection
-and the rebellion receive blow that
wlsl tell in the aunuls of history-by erect.
ing line of forts bordering the eastern
aud southern boundary of the new State,
and at interior points, where military posts
are necessary for tho protection Of the cit
zens.
In the first place, many OF these posts
require regiment, others one.half that
number, and some of them but one or two
companies. Still, the points to be guarded
are numerous, and require great many
men. Each post has to be sufficiently
strong to guard against those cavalry raids
which the South are pfoSerbiol for, aud in
which manner they invariably make their
lngress into West Virginia. Now, one.
third the mea that it requires to hold those
posts will do double the amount of good,
and be much less liable 10 capture, when
posted in strong wooden fort, securely
picketed. Such forts can be constructed
in a short time, aud without any additional
outlay of public money, As there are SOL
sdiers enough at all stations needing such
tortihcations 10 erect them in lew DAYS
or weeks, at least, when all raids for the
sake of plunder will be cut short-as ffty.
or even twenty-five men, will be able.to
successfully resist opposition by the hun
dred.
Nothing but heavy ordinance could have
any effect on a structure of this kind, and
that they don't have from the fact that it
cant be brought over such roads as thew
have TO come nor be moved with the celer.
lty that is necessary to safety in undertak-
ings OF this kind. Not only will such for
tifcations strip formidable cavalry raids of
their terror, but it would have the effect Of
putting final quietus on the movements
OF guerrilla, bands by crushing out all such
combinations. Five men would be enough
to hold the post against regiment of such
| Characters, WILTSHIRE remaining portion of
the garrison would have nothing else to do
but scout day and night, till the last one
be blotted out of the book of life.
| Considering that we have shown wherein
such manner Of defence will save men and
money, we will further COrroborate the
statement, in showing that the protection
of the citizens of West Virginia is wrapped
| up, aud inseparably connected with such n
/ move. In the first place, what loyal citi-
Lens there are left in this section of coun-
+tEy look for their protection to tic nearest
! military post, and i'll time OF dlnger, fee
there for the double purpose of perso nal
safety and the intention of doing battle
| with the enemies OF their country. Whilst
the post maintains its II ouud they do we'll,
but ii a rctrOgrade movement is advisable
their all is left to the mercy OF the enemy,
as follow, they are compelled,lby the move
-ment of the troops. But one may be asked
why don't they join the army? which is a
very natural question, but docs not apply 10
the case under consideration, as reference
the census of those border counties show
that the sable bodied" men have most
all left. All the Virginia regiments
are well represented from those sparsely
settled counties, and many of them By
men who have long since passed beyond
tue nge of compulsory military duty
Llnndreds and thousands OF these men-#ho
would tight at home, and yet are forced to
follow the fortunes of the armies, are men
whose heads are white with the frost ol
many winters, and are not fit for SERVICE
Such men constitute the bulk of tho male
citizens left to provide for their own, and
the families of those, the heads of whom,
are in the army fighting for the laws oi
their country.
That this proposed mode of defensire war
fare will have its weight in forwarding the
suppression of the rebellion, no one for a
moment can dispute. But We go farther
aud assert, that it would be the most rapid
method OF suppression, and would soonest
effect that wished for object. Last summers
campaign in the KanaHha valley plain.
~ indicated, that it is "better to have hall
a loaf than no loaf at all" more strik-
iug=ease, however, is found in the Summer
Vile capture, where Fort of very humble
Ipretentions would have been sufficient tc
have saved Col. Starr and his command
from capture. Last summers retrograde
movement of our troops, on the Weston
and Gauley bridge turnpike, is another in.
stance where fort would have stopped the
retreat OF our troops, ant. d.been equivalent
to victory, at least, it would have Justly
been construed in that light by the citizens
of this part of the country.
ThBraid jenkins made through some Of
these interior counties last summer, would
have been crushed in the beginning, and
thousands of dollars worth of commisssry
stores and other valuable property saved
had there bean substantial fort al
In.
other instances can be given, and proof IN
| daniahla In abundance nrndncad clea rlv de-.