Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-18

were needed to confront the larger forces
of the enemy; and that he could not pos
sibly supply troops for our border, to
guard against apprehended raids, without
prejudice to the main armies, st the points
mentioned, which be did not feel author
lied to do.
A few days after my return from Wash
ington, the rebel Col. Witcher made his
raid into the eastern counties, of which l
telegraphed to the Secretary of War as
soon as was advised. BE Immediately
placed troops under command of General
Kelley, who moved upon the enemy and
drove him from the State, and stationed q
force in the mountains sufficient to guard
against like raid 80 long as they are per-
mitted to remain.
Since writing the foregoing, 1 have been
informed that a few days since, rebel
force captured Beverly, and took prisoners
our troops stationed at that place; but l
am not advised of the particulars.
In the extreme Southern counties, it has
not yet been practicable to organize civil
authority, on account OF the frequent in
cursions of the rebels-those counties be-
ing occupied alternately by government
and rebel troops.
While the State has been subjected to
rebel invasions in force, during the past
year, only in the instances mentioned, and
a great portion of it has not been so inva-
ded at all, yet many sections have been
infested with small bands of armed men,
the most, if not all, OF whom left their
homes within this State at the commence
nent,of the rebellion. or since, and went
eff into the rebel army, and now return to
rob, plunder and murder their former
neighbors who are loyal, because the lat
ter would not go into the rebellion with
them. Recently robberies have been COM
mitted on large scale in many parts of
the State, and some of the best citizens
murdered by these outlaws in the counties
of Harrison and Marion. The frequency
and bolduess otthese outrages have alarm
ingly increased, SO much 80 that it is idle
to think of furnishing them in the civil
courts; and therefore on this 23d Of Decem-
Der issued an address calling on the loyal
people of the State to organize themselves
into companies for their own protection,
and to capture or kill these outlaws wher-
ever found, assuring them that l would
furnish them with arms and ammunition
for the purpose.
One feature of this condition of things is
that many of the disloyal 10 our midst
who have remained at home, feed and har-
Dor these marauders and murderers, know
ing their purposes, while the latter are
preparing to do their devilish work, and
conceal the fact of their presence from their
loyal neighbors, who are only made aware
of such presence by the loss of their prop
erty or q murder in their midst. The
course of these disloyal persons is repre-
hensible beyond degree; and trust you
will enact law imposing the seVerest pen
alties on them, but with provisions 80
guarded as to protect the innocent. have
no hope that any law can be prepared that
will secure the punishment of the princi-
pal marauders and murderers. There is
no law for them but the law of force, to
be administered wherever and whenever
they may be found.
AS is known to the members of the Leg
lature, directly after the passage of the act
of July 2, 1868, ::"for procuring arms" &c.
organized military companies in many of
the border counties and have kept them in
service ever since; and l think am war
ranted in saying that not only have these
companies extended very great protection
to the sections where they arc organized,
against marauders and murderers, but they
have enabled the loyal people of many of
the counties to remain and pursue their
ordinary vocatious, who otherwise would
have been compelled to abandon their
homes and property, and in a peuniless
condition, seek sustenance for themselves
and families among strangers. In June last
found that according to the Auditors
construction of the law, | had expended
the appropriation out of which these COM
psuies had been paid, and therefore made
several payments out of other funds as is
elsewhere explained. Yet their nav is sew
erNl months in arresr, and many of them
have no other dependence for a support for
themselves and families; and recommend
that as soon as possible you make an sp-
preparation for this purpose, and that YOU
also appropriate money for their future
payment, nnless you are of opinion that
they should he disbandsd. My opinion ia,
as has been indicated, that it is absolutely
necessary for the protection of the LOYAL
people in many of the counties, that they
be continued. But this is question for
you, and not for me, to decide. The items
OF the expenditure of the appropriation
made by the act "for procuring arms" &c
and the enlargement and continuance
thereof by the general appropriation law OF
the last session, may be found in the re.
port Of the Quartermaster General.
Notwithstanding the people in some sec
lions have been subjected to rebel raids,
tSOoSAASS tAGA L4uLucE5S II Is RC6IlIYlQR TO
know that great portion of the State is
enjoying comparative peace and security
and is receiving considerable accessions to
the population, and Is rapidly advancing
in wealth and prosperity.
| FINANCES.
The Auditor has communicated to me no
statement Of the condition of the inauces
since the last session of the Legislature
The report of the Treasurer is submitted:
from which the condition of the treasury
will appear as follows:
Balance remaining In the treasury, Sept.
on l3S $50 A
Receipts from ell other sources during the
fiscal year ending Sept 3d. ls0I......... 1926 4s
1otAi receiptS................. SIll o55 o.
Disoursments during the fiscal year end
ing sept so, e26 nd
Balance tu treasury Oct /, 1ss4...... Sli9 90 3.
Receipts from Oct. l, 1864 to Jan l. 1865. 14s5s 81
aggregate asa &c
DISBURSEMENTS from Oct. l, 1854 to Jan. /
'''''''''''''.''..'........ $26s79 81