Richmond (VA) Daily Dispatch, "Camp News - Health of the Troops," February 5, 1862

   [Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]

Camp News––Health of the Troops––Manufactures, &c., &c.

                         ISLE OF WRIGHT COUNTY, VA.,

                                  February 1, 1862.

   There is but little news from the camps in this county. There is but little sickness, and all are in buoyant spirits. General Colston is winning golden opinions from all with whom he comes in contact. Young Crowder, committed for murder of his comrade, Sturdivant, at Camp Pemberton, is in jail here awaiting further trial.

   As an exception to the almost extraordinary good health of the companies from this county, I regret to learn that Capt. Barnes has lost six of his men since the commencement of the new year, and that many other cases of sickness still exist in their ranks. To such an extent, indeed, has their health been impaired, by the unusual amount of duty they have performed at an exposed and disagreeable post, that efforts are being made to obtain a furlough for the entire command, to enable them to recuperate their wasted energies. Another draft of the militia for local purposes was made in this county a few days since. Since then a stampede of negroes from the vicinity of Chuckatuck has made the necessity of these drafts even more apparent than before. 

   The blockade is developing in our midst a spirit of mechanical enterprise cheering to every patriot heart. At Windsor, in this county, an extensive leather and shoe manufactory, for which a charter has already been obtained, will soon be in operation.––At the Logan cotton mills, near the Court-House, the proprietors have made a large accession to their force, and are turning out an immense quantity of yarn and various kinds of fabrics. The mills at Factory Hill, for some years idle, are being speedily repaired by a Petersburg company, who are projecting extensive improvements, and will soon have them at work. 

   Pork is selling at $11.50 to $12, though in small quantities. A cargo of corn from North Carolina is unloading in the Black-water at 56 cents.          RUSTICUS.