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:--

'The Yankees have at last arrived, about ten thousand strong. For the
past two days we have had some sharp skirmishing, during which time we
have killed one hundred of the Hessians. We have, as yet, lost but one
man.'

In a _private note_ to the editor, the writer adds:--

'I guess the Yankees have got us this time. There is a regiment here who
call themselves the Indiana Ninth, but they lie,--they are regulars.
They have got good rifles, and they take good aim. If it wasn't for
this, we would attack them.'

This little item shows how the masses of the Southern people are
deceived. Through the medium of the press they are made to believe they
are gaining great victories, and repulsing the 'abolitionists' at every
step, killing hundreds of our men, and losing none of their own. Our
total loss at Laurel Hill was six men. The rebel loss, as near as could
be ascertained, was forty. The rebel leaders know they are playing a
game for life or death, and so long as they can keep in power by
deceiving the people, just so long will this rebellion continue. Could
the _truth_ be forced upon the people of the South, the rebellion would
go down as quickly as it rose.

Many laughable incidents occurred while we were skirmishing with the
enemy at Laurel Hill. We received a newspaper containing the message of
President Lincoln. One of the Indiana boys, thinking it might do the
secesh good to hear a few loyal sentiments, mounted a stump, paper in
hand, and exclaimed, 'I say, secesh,