To tlie People of West¬
ern Virginia*
*-«
The Army ot the Confederate States has come among you
to expel the enemy, to rescue the people from the despotism
of the counterfeit State Government imposed on you by
Northern bayonets, and to restore the country once more
to its natural allegiance to the State. We fight for peace
and the possession of our own territory. We do not intend
to punish those who remain at home as quiet citizens in obe¬
dience to the laws of the land, and to all such clemency and
amnesty, are declared; but those who persist in adhering to
the cause of the public enemy, and the pretended State Go¬
vernment he lias erected at Wheeling, will be dealt with as
their obstinate treachery deserves.
When the liberal policy of the Confederate Government shall be intro¬
duced and made known 10 the people, who have so long experienced the
wanton misrule of the invader, the Commanding General expects the
people heartily to sustain it not only as a duty, hut as a deliverance from
their taskmasters and usurpers. Indeed, he already recognizes in the
cordial welcome which the people every where give to the Army, a happy
indication of their attachment to their true and lawful Government.
Until the proper authorities shall order ovherwise, and in the absence
of municipal law and its customary ministers, Martial Law will be ad¬
ministered by the Army and the Provost Marshals. Private rights and
property will be respected, violence will be repressed, and order promo¬
ted . and all the private property used by the Army will be paid for.
The Commanding General appeals to all good citizens to aid him in
these objects, and to all able-bodied men to join his army to defend the
sanctities of religion and virtue, home, territory, honor, and law,
which are invaded and violated by an unscrupulous enemy, whom an in¬
dignant and united people are now about to chastise on his own soil.
The Government expects an immediate and enthusiastic response to
this call. Tour country has been reclaimed for you from the enemy by
soldiers, many of whom are from distant parts of the State, and the Con¬
federacy; and you will prove unworthy to possess so beautiful and fruit¬
ful a land, if you do not now rise to retain and defend it. The oaths
which the invader imposed upon you are void. Thyv are immoral at¬
tempts to restrain you from your duty to your State and Government.
They do not exempt you from the obligation to support your Govern¬
ment and to serve in the Army ;'and if such persons are taken as prison¬
ers of war, the Confederate Government guarantees to the-m the humans
treatment of the usages of war.
I>v command cf
MA J." GEN. LORING.
H. Fitzhugh,
Chie f of St aff.
HEAD QUARTERS, Department of Western Virginia.
Charleston, Fa., September 14, 1862.
-General Order No.
The Commanding General congratulates the Army on the brilliant
march from the Southwest to this place in one week, and on its succes¬
sive victories over the enemy at Fayette C. H., Cotton Hill, and Cha.les¬
ion. It will be memorable in history, that overcoming the mountains
and the enemy in one week, you have established the laws, and carried
the flag of the country to the outer borders of the Confederacy. In¬
stances of gallantry and patriotic devotion are too numerous to vbe spe¬
cially designated at this time; but to Brigade Commanders, and their
officers and men, the Commanding General makes grateful acknowledg¬
ment for services to which our brilliant success is due. The country
vtvill remember and reward you.
By command of MM. GEN. LORING.
H. Fitzhdgh,
Chief of Staff.