Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-02-22
The virginia Oyster War.

NORFOLK, Feb. l7.-The follow
ing is the Governors proclamation:
Commonwealth Of Virginia, I'D
iutant Generals office, Norfolk
Va., Feb. 16, 1SS2.-Special Or
ders. No. l: First. Whereas off
cial information has been received
bv the Governor that sundry per-
sons have violated and are violating
the laws OF the Commonwealth for
the protection Of oysters, and where
as said persons have defed and re-
sisted the lawful authority, especial
ly in the waters over which the
courts of Matthews and Middlesex
counties have jurisdiction; and
whereas notification has been re.
ceived of the inability of said author
ity to enforce the laws of the CJm-
monwealth against said offenders
and trespassers, and u cali has been
made upon the executive for assis =
lance in enforcing the law and
maintaining the civil authority :;
Now, therefore, in pursuance Of the
power vested by law in the Cover
nor and commander in chief Of the
military forces OF Virginia. it is
hereby ordered Tat Major II. C.
Carter commandani Of the first
battalion of volunteer artillery, do
proceed, with such troops as may
be placed at his disposal by order
of the adjutant general, TO the v alters
OF the chesapeake AMI its t.ibutaf-
les within the jurisdiction of the
Commonwealth, and then and there
give such assistance as may be re
quired by the sheriff OF Matthew,
county, or otherwise legally coustl-
tuted authority, i'll the service Of
processes for felony against such
persons as may be included in war,
rants held by such sheriff or olhc
legal authorities in the apprchensl II
of all persons embraced in such war
rants or found engaged in the un-
lawful taking Of oysters in our WA
ters, and in the seizure OF all vessels
and other property employed in
such infringement OF the laws and
spoliation Of the properly OF tho
| Commonwealth.
Second. Major Carter will lave
command and control of all the
military forces in this expedition
and Of the movements OF tie YES els
upon which they are transported,
so far as such control is rCcess .ry
in making effectual the lawful assis
lance above authorized.
Third. Major Carter will be al
thorized to rate as on active seryi c
the officers OF bis staff actually
employed, and such officers and men
of the Norfolk Light Artillery
Blues and the Norfolk CITY Guards
az he may deem necessary for the
execution Of the orders be Elm set
forth; and the pay.roIls for such
off .ers and men for the time actual
ly employed in service, certified,
will be recognized by this depart
ment.
Fourth. The adjutani general will
be empowered 10 furnish tIanspor-
tation, ammunition and supplies, as
may be necessary, and his requlsl-
ton Will be considered as voucher
against the fund at the disposal OF
the commander n-cheif.
BY order OF the Governor.
JAMES MCDONALD. AIT. General.
SEVEN VESSELS AND sIXTY-oNF
OYSTERMEN CAPTURED ESCAPE
OF FOREIGN DREDGER5.
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. l9.-ThC
Governors military expedition tC
the Rappahannock liver to suppress
tie oyster pirates OF that section re
turned to Norfolk Saturday nigh
and reported highly successful
campaign, though the numbcf o
captured vessels and prisoners Was
smaller than was hoped Tor at tho
outset. The expedition got away
from Old Point some time beior,
daylight Friday mornIng. On the
steamer Peed were Gov, Cameron
with Gen, V. d. Groner in com,
mand, and q detachment Of artillery
and infantry, oIiicered by Capt. c.
A. Nash, Lieut. G G. Loand, Lieut.
IL. G.. Whitehead. On the Louisa
was Col. ii. G. Carter in command:
Capt. James a. Gilmer and Tieuis.
Hodges, Walton and Jackson, with
detachments Of artillery aud in'an-
try. Both steamers were armed
with howitzers. Tie steamer arriv
ed off the mouth OF the Rappahan-
mock about 6 o'clock in The morning
and discovered a fleet OF seven
schoJners. The Peed took the
Louisa IN tow as a ruse, and sailed
up abreast CT the mouth Of The Raj
pallanneck, where Inc fleet was
dredging about two miles distant.
The Peed then cast loose her tow
and dashed at full speed into the
fleet oil dredgers, creating no little
CONSERVATION among the oyster
u.en.
When within mic OF tie first
SC ,ooner Gen Groncr ordered a
volley OF mus etry aud one solid
shot 10 | Q fir d across the bows o.