Hampden Sidney boys.
The following letter is from Rev. Dr. Smith, Professor in Union Theological Seminary, and owing to the late arrival of the Central cars on Thursday night, could not appear in Friday's paper, as was intended: Staunton, July 18.
To the Editors of the Dispdtch:--With N. C. Read, Esq., of your city, I telegraphed you to-day that this company was safe, though prisoners.
As the relatives of its members are very much scattered, I take this method of informing them that I learn by a gentleman (more direct from Beverly) that they are there as prisoners, with about 500 others of the troops which were at Rich Mountain under Colonels Heck and Pegram.
The retreat was made through the woods to the road leading from Beverly to Laurel Hill, with a view of joining Gen. Garnett; but finding that he had left, and the post was in the hands of the enemy, who also held Beverly, they had no alternative except to surrender, or undertake the hopeless task of pushing across Cheat Mountain, without provisions, or the means of getting them.
They had then suffered very much by fatigue and fasting, and sent a flag of surrender to Beverly, into which place they were marched on Saturday morning. By the best accounts which can be had, it is believed all are together, with the exceptions mentioned in the telegram sent you by Mr. Read and myself.
It is known to many near the college, that I came to look after the safety of this company, and if necessary and possible do whatever I could for their comfort.
Having a son in it, I have used every means of accomplishing my purpose.
But I fear I shall not be permitted to visit Beverly.
I shall remain here, however, for a few days, and endeavor to ascertain all the facts relating to any not now known to be in the company, and will communicate to their friends whatever result I may reach.
Meanwhile, I send you this card to relieve the anxiety (with which I know how to sympathise) of the relatives of these young soldiers.
I will only add, that the history of modern warfare shows few examples of a better contested field than was this engagement of Cols. Heck and Pegram, with 12 or 1500 men against 9,000 of the enemy.
The reports of killed and wounded are so conflicting that I will say nothing.
Had Garnett been able to hold Laurel Hill, the retreat of Heck and Pegram would have resulted well, and with that of the five companies under Tyler, would have left the enemy but few captives to take charge of. The destination of the prisoners is not yet settled.
All accounts give the pleasing intelligence that the officers and many of the men of the enemy treat the prisoners with great kindness, and they are as well off as could be expected.
Of this fact, I have abundant evidence in letters, received from the prisoners by myself and others.
