The Wheeling Treason.
--It is difficult to realize both the wickedness and the folly of the traitors who have attempted to set up a Government in
Northwestern Virginia, under the shadow of the
Northern army.
Following that shadow, they have dared to call for
Virginia volunteers to fight against
Virginians.
We give below the proclamation, issued under authority from
Governor Pierpoint.
Men of Kanawha.--That Government of
Virginia which was destroyed at
Richmond has been reconstructed at
Wheeling, and so acknowledged by the
Government and people of the
United States.
At the call of
Governor Pierpont the
President has sent armies of our friends from
Kentucky,
Ohio and
Indiana, and expelled our invaders from the
East, headed by a lawyer ruffian, who in his retreat has left everywhere marks of bloodshed, fire, violence and pillage, carrying with him several unoffending citizens as captives.
You contributed nothing to his expulsion.
You are called upon now, by every consideration of defence, loyalty and patriotism, to rally.
Our civil and military departments must be reorganized.
I have been commissioned by the
Governor to muster volunteer companies into the service of the
State; you must also form yourselves into companies for service under the
United States.
Turn out, turn out and range yourselves, under one or the other banner, and never let it be said we were made free and cannot keep ourselves so. As fast as companies are formed they will be armed, and presently we shall be able to say to our liberators, go, with our blessing, to serve your country elsewhere, we can defend ourselves. L.
Ruffner, Adjutant.
Charleston, August, 1861.
