Wheeling Daily Intelligencer
The Governor's Address to the People of West Virginia.
December 26, 1864
We invite the attention of our readers to the terse and vigorous address of Governor Boreman, which appears in our advertising columns this morning. To the people of the interior counties infested by gangs of robbers and murderers it has an especial interest. The Governor recommends that the citizens form organizations among themselves for the purpose of exterminating, or otherwise ridding their sections of these outlaws. He promises to furnish arms and ammunition to all squads and companies organized for this purpose.
This is the true policy. The citizens can do this work better than the military. Let them shoot down every scoundrel known to be guilty, and we shall soon see an end of this devilish work. It will only need then that restitution be made off of the home rebels who have been harboring and encouraging these bandits, for losses already sustained. We would be glad to see the Commander of this Department issue such an order.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: December 1864