The Daily Dispatch: May 2, 1864., [Electronic resource]

---

---

The enemy on the York Peninsula.

We learn from a gentleman who came up Saturday from Gloucester that the country people estimate the number of troops at and around Gloucester Point at 25,000.--This is, of course, an exaggeration, though it is true that a large number of troops have been landed there lately, many having been sent over from Yorktown. The river is full of steam transports, plying to and fro. A regiment of negro troops and Spears's 11th Penn. cavalry were up as far as Gloucester Court House last week. A brigade of negro troops are at the Williamsburg Landing, on York river.

Much trouble has been caused the Yankees by the explosion of torpedoes, which are in the oyster beds. A few rakes of the oyster tongs blow up boat, dredger, and all. Week before last a coasting canoe was blown up, one man killed and two drowned. This unexpected disaster has nearly put an end to Yankee oyster fishing. They had threatened to burn a house for every vessel that was blown up by a torpedo, but the threat was not carried out.

The Federal vessels have been feeling along up the Pamunkey for torpedoes.