The Secessionists in the Northwest.
The sacrifices and heroism displayed by the friends of the
Southern cause in
Northwestern Virginia are not surpassed by any which have been exhibited during the progress of the present war. We have just conversed with a gentleman from that section, who has lost a large fortune and whose children have been imprisoned by the enemy, one of them, a youth of fourteen, having been taken as prisoner to the
State of Ohio.
It was the knowledge of these and similar atrocities that has induced us to speak of
Northwestern Virginia with the natural indignation that such circumstances would arouse.
It was not our intention, however, to denounce the whole people of that section, nor any portion of them except those who have invited a foreign army into their borders, and raised the flag of army into their borders, and raised the flag of rebellion against this Commonwealth.
Braver and better men than these friends of the
Southern cause in the
Northwest cannot be found, nor are there any in the whole State whose loyalty and firmness have been put to as severe a test.
In this connection, we may mention that none have rendered better service in the field than the faithful citizens of the
Northwest, and that of these, the ‘"
Upshur Grays"’ and the ‘"Hardy Blues"’ bore a leading and conspicuous part in the fight on
Rich Mountain.
Capt. Higginbotham and his
Lieutenants behaved in the most gallant manner.
Two of the Upshur men brought down with their unerring reifies the wretches who bayonetted
Captain Dr Laniel after he had fallen.
In justice to
Randolph and
Barbour, the
scenes of the late unfortunate events, it ought to be stated that a large majority of their people testified by their vote on the
Secession Ordinance their fidelity to the
Southern cause.
