OPERATIONS IN N. C. AND S. E. VA. [CHAP.XIII.

On arriving in town a portion of the two companies of dragoons and the York and Warwick foot proceeded at once to the bridge, and a sharp skirmish ensued between them and the picket, the latter giving way and retreating at the end of half an hour, with some loss on their side; only one man wounded on ours. Notice was then given to the few remaining inhabitants of the place, and those who were aged or infirm were kindly cared for and taken to their friends, who occupied detached houses. The town was then fired in many places and burned to the ground.

This detailed operation, carried on within easy range of the guns of Fort Monroe and in the immediate presence of an enemy outside of the work five or six times as strong as the part engaged in it, was executed most skillfully by Captain Phillips, of the Old Dominion Dragoons, ably seconded by Captain Goode, of the Mecklenburg Cavalry, and supported firmly by six companies of the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment, under Colonel Hodges. At about daybreak these troops returned, and after sleeping in camp for some hours the whole-force returned and reoccupied Bethel, there not being sufficient fresh water below this place to supply either infantry or cavalry in such large bodies, the streams in that part of the Peninsula being all salt water.

The next day thirty wagons were sent to the houses nearest the enemy, under a strong escort, and returned laden with corn and oats. Since then the troops have been engaged in fortifying the position at Bethel. As soon as that is done they will move to Young's Mill, which is a strong position, and fortify that, after which they will return to their respective posts, with the exception of the Fifth North Carolina Regiment, which will be stationed at Mulberry Island, to cover the works now being erected there.

The sickness among the troops in the Peninsula is grave, both in extent and character, all diseases taking more or less a typhoid character, and many deaths occurring-at Yorktown about two a day. Some idea may be formed of its effects when I state that the Fifth North Carolina Regiment, composed of twelve companies and over 1,000 strong, is now less than 400 for duty. Every precaution has been taken and every arrangement will be made to prevent the disease and alleviate its effects, and the health of the troops now is reported as improving. Large numbers of the troops here have been sent across the York River to Gloucester, private families kindly offering to take charge of many of the patients. One or two regiments in Yorktown have remained healthy. They will be permitted to remain in their present encampments, and the rest should be encamped some miles from the works, but toward the enemy, at places supposed to be more healthy. The sickliest season has not yet arrived, and as this is by far the most unhealthy portion of the seat of war, I cannot too earnestly impress upon the authorities the necessity of attending promptly to the requisitions and suggestions of the medical officers as regards the sanitary condition of the troops in this Peninsula. Two hundred barrels of potatoes have arrived and been issued, and also a very seasonable supply of medicines; but as, in addition to the measles, ague and fever, bilious and typhoid fever, symptoms of scurvy are apparent throughout the command, a continued supply of potatoes and other vegetables, which I understand are abundant and very cheap farther South, is essential. Typhoid has been so prevalent and fatal at Jamestown Island as to make the withdrawal of the men from that post necessary. They will be encamped in the immediate vicinity on one of Mr. William Allen's farms, supposed to be more healthy.