that the chivalry flew, and yet scarcely knew which way to run.  ‘Bould sojer boys,’ with nothing but their underclothes on, mounted their nags bareback, and fled ’over the hills and far away’ towards Beverley, firing as they ran a few random shots.  Before the infantry reached the town most of them had made good their escape, leaving behind, however, nearly all their baggage, a large number of horses, wagons, tents, and about eight hundred stand of arms, together with a nicely-cooked breakfast, which they had no idea they were preparing for ‘Lincoln’s hirelings.’

We took about fifty prisoners, among them the man who wounded Col. (now General) Kelley.  They were retained until the next day, when the oath was administered, and they were let loose to rejoin their companions in arms.  About four weeks after this, we had the pleasure of retaking, several of these fellows; some of them, in fact, were taken three or four times, each time taking the oath, and being set at liberty, and each time, true to their nature—­and Jeff Davis—­immediately taking up arms again against the government.

Phillippi, from any of the neighboring hills, or rather mountains, presents a rather picturesque appearance.  It was, previous to the war, a place of about one thousand inhabitants.  It boasts a good court-house, a bank, and two hotels, and was by far the most civilized-looking town we had then seen in Virginia.  But, alas! what a change had come over its once happy populace.  When we entered it, not a dozen inhabitants were left.  We were told that Phillippi was the head-quarters of rebellion in Western Virginia.  Here was published the Barbour County Jeffersonian, a rabid secession newspaper, now no more, for the press was demolished, and the types thrown into a well.  The editor had joined the rebel army a few days before our arrival, and was among the loudest denunciators of our government.  He boasted he would shed the last drop of his blood (he was very careful as to shedding the first) before he would retreat one inch before the Abolitionists.  We afterwards learned from some of his men that he was among the first to mount his horse and run to the mountains; the last that was seen of him he was going at lightning speed toward Richmond, and in all probability il court encore,—­he is running yet.

We had taken possession of the town and most of the enemy’s baggage and equipments; still our commanding officer was not satisfied, neither were the men.  We had intended to completely surround the enemy and to cut off every possible chance of his retreat.  The attack was to have been made at five o’clock, A.M.; but one column, that which marched from Grafton, was about twenty minutes too late, and when at last it did make its appearance, it entered town by the wrong road, having been misled by the guide.  The consequence was, the enemy retreated on the Beverley road, where they met with little or no resistance.  Our men were too much fatigued to follow the fast-fleeing traitors, and most of them made good their escape.