The Daily Dispatch: may 27, 1862., [Electronic resource]

Guerrilla Warfare.

‘ The system of guerrilla warfare now being inaugurated for Northwestern Virginia, by refugees and others, bids fair to make short work of the war in that section of our State. Captain George Downs, who has already become noted for his bravery, chivalry, and deeds of noble daring out there, has opened his summer campaign, under the immediate patronage of the State of Virginia, with most flattering prospects ahead of him. I am informed that his present force is little short of 300 brave men, all well mounted, and armed with Enfield rifles. Two thousand independent and free fighters will be sent out there in companies as fast as they can be raised. Peirpoint's bogus Government, which never had the respect and confidence of that people, will vanish like smoke before the gathering tempest; and the ringleaders in the Union party will seek protection in the foreign Government of the United States or dangle in the air at the end of a rope.

There are now few, if any, Northern soldiers out there. There is a company of Home Guards at Clarksburg; another at Fairmont; another at Grafton; and, perhaps, a few more at other points. These are all citizens, and many of them will join the Southern army at the first opportunity. There is no doubt that a large majority of the people of Northwestern Virginia are now impatient to hear of the triumph of the Southern cause.

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