August 8, 1864
Disbanding of the Militia. - In accordance with previous orders a considerable portion of the militia of the city assembled at the Court House and the Centre Wheeling Market House on Saturday afternoon. The 4th regiment assembled near the Court House and was addressed by Governor Boreman. He said that he had only been induced to call upon the militia at the solicitation of the highest military authority, and having received information that the enemy which had been threatening us from the director of Cumberland and New Creek was retreating the immediate necessity had passed and the brigade would be disbanded for the present. He took occasion to say that he had often been urged to call out the militia but had never before thought it necessary. He had been denounced by some for refusing to call out the militia, and was now denounced by other for having done so. He intended in this, as in all things, to do what he considered to be his duty, regardless of what certain individuals might think right and proper in the premises. The speech was loudly applauded. Lt. Col. Logan, of the 4th then dismissed the regiment, thanking them for their promptness in responding to the call and expressing the hope that they would be equally prompt in the future.
The invincible "malish" then dispersed in the direction of their several homes apparently well satisfied with the turn things had taken.
August 10, 1864
The Militia.
Wheeling, Aug. 8, 1864.
Editor's Intelligencer:
The meager turnout of the militia in response to the call of the Governor, convinces me that a considerable portion of our able bodied population feel altogether indifferent to the result of the present invasion of the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia; perhaps under the delusion if the rebels capture West Virginia, they will be treated kindly in consideration of their opposition to or lukewarmness in the cause of the Union. I beg leave to remind them through this medium that in all cases in Virginia where the rebels have got possession, they have invariably taken the property of their soi-disant friends as well as from the Unionists indiscriminately; they have also treated Unionists found fighting against them as prisoner of war (those they captured) subject to exchange, and have in all cases conscripted their friends and placed them in their armies, willing or unwilling. I hope that some of our peace friends, those who are usually denominated Butternuts will bear this fact in mind, that they will have to fight on one side or the other; will have either to help the Union men repel the invaders, or succumb to the rebels and have their business and property destroyed, and then be forced to fight with the rebels in any part of the State or Confederate States; receiving as pay Confederate money or perhaps none at all. If the enemy should ever take possession of our city, there would most assuredly be a repetition of the scenes at Chambersburgh considerably magnified.
AVON.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: August 1864