The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-07-04

~ ~ 1911.
now N0RIIIq GINA WAS
COLONEL PoRTERFlELp TAKES.
Col Porterfeld arrived at Grafton,
May, 18TH and Immediately reported.
to Col. Robert s. Garrett; Adtutant
General. Ftichmondt that the officers
who had been directed to report 10
him were not present, nor was there
any volunteer of other force there. He
would proceed at once to ascertain
the whereabouts of Major Gott's COM
mand. On account OF the sparseness
OF the population It would be difficult
to get the various companies to act iii
concert. "'Atter my return" he said;
81 would desire as soon as possible
to me reinforced by detachment OF
not less than $50 men and few
pieces Of artillery. II they can be
spared from the command at Harper's
Ferry" May 10th, Col. Porteraeld'
wrote again from Grafton to Adjt.
Gen. Garnett:
"1n my last report stated that !
would first get possession of the arms
sent to Mai. Goff. and then try to col
lect force to occupy this place.
accordingly sent a messenger 70 Mai.
Con, at Beverly, about SO miles dis.
tant. and proceeded to ascertain what
force 1 could get. its condition and the
sentiment of the people OF the coun.
ties OF Taylor, Barbour and Harrison.
l also sent orders to the captains OF
companies, supposed to be armed. in
the neighboring counties to bring
their companies Immediately to des
tgnated point and there await my or
ders.
"The messenger returned from
Beverly with the reply that nothing
had been heard of the ri
fles, nor had Major Cor
been informed that they were to
be sent to him. This is u serious dis
appointment. Several companies In
this vicinity are organizing and ex-
pecting to be furnished at once with
arms and ammunition. found a
company organized at Pruntytown,
which will be ready to receive arms
in a day or two. There is another at
Philtppi awaiting arms, and another
in Clarksburg which will soon be
ready. have seen the officers of these
companies. There are other companies
forming in the surrounding counties,
but all without arms and un-uniform'
ed. This force when received will
not, for some months, be more effec-
tive than undisciplinel militia. There
are but two companies In this vicinity
known 10 be armed. One of these,
Capt. Borgess. at Weston has old
fitntloclS muskets, in bad order, and
no ammunition. The other Capt.
Thompson, at Fairmont, has better
gun and some ammunition. These
companies are now marching to-
wards this point; are ordered to do 50,
at least. This is the only force on
which have to depend; ana it is very
weak compared with the strength OF
those in this section who. am assur..
ed, are ready to oppose me.
II have found great diversity OF
opinion and much bitterness of feel.
ing among the people of this region.
They are apparently upon the verge
done much mischief by stirring-up re-
belllon among the people and repre-.
senting to them the weakness of the
State and its inability Or 1ndisposition
to protect them, the power of s. the
government at washington and their
Willingness to give any required aid
to assist the State authorities. am
too credlbly Informed TO entertain any
doubt that they have been and will be
supplied with the means of resistance.
They and their accomplices have also
threatened the property and persons
of law-abfding citizens with fire and
sword Their efforts to intimidate
have had their effect both to dis
hearten the one and encourage the
other. Many good citizens have been
tlispaired, while the traitors nave setz-
ed guns and ammunition OF the State
to be used against its authority
Arms in the hands of dlsbanded vol.
unteer companies have been retained
for the same avowed purpose.
"The force in this section will need
the best rifles. Those at Harper's
Ferry, which were injured by the fire,