September 24, 1864
A Raid - A few days ago the notorious rebel Bill Smith with about sixty men made a raid on Ceredo situated on the Ohio river in Wayne county in this State. They captured Capt. Ben Hailey, and eight of his men, who belonged to the West Virginia State Guards, who were stationed at Ceredo for the protection of that point and surrounding neighborhood. They also captured all the male citizens of the place, with the exception of two old men and robbed the Post office of stationary and postage stamps, and other valuables, to the amount of about thirty dollars, and robbed the citizens of all the horses in the neighborhood, and about seven hundred dollars. The guerrillas left Ceredo with their prisoners and booty going in the interior, in the direction of Wayne Court House, robbing the citizens of their horses and other property. The loyal citizens have been greatly annoyed for the want of necessary protection, ever since March or April last, the county being overrun by guerrillas, committing depredations of the most shameful character, such as murdering citizens, robbing houses of bed clothing and their valuables, and taking money from citizens. It would be a great relief to the loyal citizens of Wayne county if the military authorities could possibly spare soldiers sufficient to protect said county from the bands of guerrillas that are continually infesting the county, and driving the loyal citizens away from their homes.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: September 1864