On the night of the 6th of July, we left Phillippi for Laurel Hill, starting at midnight.  The road was rather rough, but much better than we expected to find it.  When we were within about five miles of the enemy’s camps; we passed a toll-gate, where an old woman came to the door to ‘collect toll.’  Some of our boys stopped at the house to get a drink of water, and asked the old lady how far it was to camp,—­meaning the rebel camp.  ‘About four miles,’ she said, ’but you can’t get in without a pass.’

The artillery was just then passing her door; the boys pointed to that, and told her ‘they thought they had a pass that would take them in.’

‘Oh!’ she exclaimed, as the thought struck her that we were Federals, ’you won’t find it as easy work as you did at Phillippi; they’re going to fight this time.’

On our return home this same woman was at the door, but she didn’t demand toll this time.  ‘Well, old lady,’ said one of our fellows, ‘what do you think now about the fighting qualities of your men?’

  ’They who fight and run away,
  Will live to fight another day,’

she exclaimed, and, slamming the door, vanished from sight, I trust forever.

At daylight we drove in the rebel pickets at Laurel Hill.  We were within a mile and a half of their main camp, and halted there to await orders from Gen. McClellan, before beginning the attack.  He was advancing on the enemy at Rich Mountain and Beverley.

We threw a few shells into the rebel camp, producing great consternation among their men and horses.  For four days we kept up skirmishing, but on the fifth day it rained, and little was done.  All were anxious to commence the attack, but, as we had heard nothing from Gen. McClellan, all had to ‘wait for orders.’  That night the enemy, hearing of the Federal victory at Rich Mountain, and the occupation of Beverley by McClellan, and evidently thinking himself in a ‘bad fix,’ retreated from Laurel Hill toward St. George.  In the morning our forces took possession of his camp and fortifications, and part of our column pursued the flying forces, overtaking them at Cornick’s Ford, where a sharp engagement ensued, which resulted in a total rout of the rebels, and the death of Gen. Garnett.  Only a portion of his army escaped over the mountains to Eastern Virginia.

So hasty was the retreat from Laurel Hill, that the enemy left behind all the sick and wounded, telling them the Union troops would kill them as soon as they took possession of their camp.  A large number of tents, a quantity of flour, and a few muskets, fell into our hands.  The fortifications at Laurel Hill were strong, and evidently planned and constructed by men who understood their business.

Among the numerous letters which we found in the rebel camp, was one written to one of the Richmond papers, during the siege of Laurel Hill.  In that part of the letter which was intended for publication, the writer said:—­