Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
from the Northwest.
Laurel Hill Camp, Barbour, Co., Va., June 22, 1861.
This place has been selected as one of the posts for the gathering of troops for the Northwestern army of Virginia.
This department is under the command of Gen. Garnett, an officer of ability and experience, in whom those under him have the greatest confidence.
The numbers of Confederate troops at present in this neighborhood I am not able to state accurately, but from good authority I learn that It is sufficient to meet any advance of the enemy.
The 23d Regiment, Col. Tallaferro, is stationed at this place, and the command is in fine health and high spirits * This regiment is composed of companies from the neighborhood of Richmond, and no doubt it will gratify their friends to hear from them, and that they are anxious and ready to meet the enemy.--The Richmond Sharp-Shooters, Capt. Robert A. Tompkins, hold an enviable position in its ranks, and armed as they are with the most approved rifles, are expected to do their share of hard work when the time comes for fighting the Yankees.
They stood the long march over the mountains with a cheerfulness and alacrity that would have done credit to those raised in the highlands of Virginia, but two gave out from fatigue, and they recovered after a day or two's rest.
The troops stationed here have quite hard service to perform, having to scout the mountains every day and night, besides keeping up a large guard within their own encampment.
A few nights since a party of our scouts fell in with the scouts of the enemy, killed one of them, captured three horses, took three prisoners, forty dollars in money, and a fine gold watch.
The prisoners are confined in the guard house.
‘"Nobody hurt"’ on our side.
The enemy, before this post was established, had been in the habit of roaming over the county as he pleased, but now he has to confine himself to close quarters at Phillippi, from which place we can distinctly hear his sundown and daybreak guns.
We hear daily of the movements of the enemy, but as there are so many rumors afloat, I will not mention any of them.
You can rest assured, however, that the proper authorities are well posted in relation to whatever step he may take.
Since we left Richmond we have had but one death in the 23d Regiment, and that was Private Fendall C. Whitlock, a member of Capt. Coleman's company, from Louisa county, (the Frederick Hall Grays.) The deceased was taken suddenly ill on Friday night last, with brain fever, and before seven o'clock Saturday morning he was a corpse.
Mr. Whitlock was held in high esteem by his officers and comrades, who deeply sympathise with his afflicted parents and brother, (a member of the same corps,) In their bereavement.--He will be buried to-day with military honors.
A fine regiment of Georgia troops has just arrived here, looking very much fatigued by their march from Staunton; but they will be all right after a day's rest.
The 24th Regiment of Virginia troops also reached here yesterday.
The people in this section are very much tainted with Unionism, and have to be watched very closely; but there are a number of honorable exceptions, who deserve credit for the zeal they display in aiding the military authorities.
The enemy is stationed at Phillippi, with a force estimated at 7,000 men, and are said to have entire control of the place.
Most of the men suffer very much from having to sleep on the naked ground, with the canopy of Heaven for a covering, and, unless the State furnishes them with tents, disease will play more havoc in their ranks than the balls of the enemy.
A number of the companies of the 23d have received tents from their respective counties and from friends at home.
Captain Tompkins has endeavored to procure tents from the State, but so far has been unsuccessful.
During a very severe storm of wind and rain Friday night, his men were completely drenched with rain and their arms saturated.
The nights and mornings are very cool up in these ‘"diggins,"’ and having to lay on the ground, with but a single blanket for covering, is not very pleasant.
His company takes this occasion to return their sincere thanks to the City Council and citizens of Richmond, for the aid so kindly extended to them in preparing them for service, and will use every exertion to prove worthy of the confidences reposed in them.
Should anything of importance transpire, you shall be informed of it.
We miss the Dispatch very much, and can't get along without it. The mails are very irregular now, but no doubt it will be remedied after a while. Ned.
The staff is as follows: Col. Wm. B. Tallaferro; Lieutenant Colonel, James R. Crenshaw; Major,--Snead; Adjutant, Wm. B. Pendleton.
The staff is as follows: Col. Wm. B. Tallaferro; Lieutenant Colonel, James R. Crenshaw; Major,--Snead; Adjutant, Wm. B. Pendleton.
