[
458]
and the steps taken by him for the protection and defence of your section of the
State coincide almost exactly with the course you have advised me to pursue.
He agrees with you that it would be impossible for us to raise a force at this time sufficiently strong to resist the large bodies of troops in the States of the
Northwest, at the command of the
Federal Government, and that it is inexpedient and unwise to invite an invasion by the concentration of troops among you. But he thinks it important to guard your section from the lawless bands which may be tempted to make raids upon you if they found that the volunteer force is not organized and ready for service.
He has therefore instructed the officers placed in command to gather a volunteer force at
Grafton, the point designated by you, from the surrounding counties, and hold it in readiness to be employed at any point where its services may be required.
Arms have been sent to the volunteer companies, but no troops have or will be sent from this part of the
State.
While this line of policy is suggested by our comparative weakness, and by the difficulty of collecting, in any short time, an organized force in
Northwestern Virginia, sufficient to meet a large body of troops coming against us, it is also called for by the distracted and divided state of our own people; and I know of no better way of establishing unity of feeling and of securing a hearty co-operation on the part of all our citizens, in the support of the
State, in the position it now occupies, than by placing arms in the hands of men known to be loyal and true, to be used in their own defence.
I shall be glad to hear frequently from you upon the subject of your letter, and to receive any suggestions you may be pleased to make.
I remain, most respectfully yours, &c.,
