W. H. Chesebrough to Joseph Hooker, April 7, 1863

Maj. Gen. JOSEPH HOOKER, Commanding Army of the Potomac, Falmouth:

Answered your communication.{ Just examined a man who left Petersburg on Wednesday; confirms my previous information. Longstreet moving troops this way last week.

BUCKHANNON, V. A., April 7, 1863, GOVERNOR OF WESTERN Virginia:

I have the honor to send you a letter I thought proper to address to the loyal citizens of the counties embraced in my command.§ If you see any merit in the organization I propose to them, it may be well for you toindorse the recommendation, and make it general and uniform throughout the State. A determined will on the part of the people to aid in this way (the army) in destroying the outlaws now busy in planning their system of brigandage, will have a great moral effect. Ifthe pretendin g neutrals see that the people are rising and organizing to make war upon them, I am undoubting in my convictions that their atrocious schemes will at once be abandoned, and comparative quiet will be restored to your new State.

If this address meets your approval, you will oblige me by sending

+See Peck to Hooker, April 4, p. 190.

it to your Union paper that has the greatest circulation in these counties, with my request to the editor that he will publish it in his daily and weekly.

I also inclose a letter I have addressed to Major-General Schenck, suggesting my views of a policy that should, in my judgment, be adopted to purge your new State of the disloyal families making habitual mischief while remaining within our lines. Should my views accord with yours, you may aid me in persuading General Schenck, or the War Department, to adopt them.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,