[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
things on the Peninsula — Bethel — the battle-field, &c. Cavalry Camp, Big Bethel, York county, Va., Feb. 14, 1862.
White the face of the country in this immediate locality has undergone but a slight change in its aspect since the great Waterico defeat of General Butler's forces last June, still a material alteration in forest scenery exists.
Numerous frees have been felled, for the purpose of extracting Minnie balls, and others, of less dimensions, that were deeply imbedded in their trunks.
These missiles are highly prized, and are held by our courageous volunteers as mementoes of this already celebrated battle ground.
The log upon which Major Winthrop stood, at the time of rallying his men, has long since been removed in small parcels, out of which canes, and a variety of other valuable articles have because manufactured.
It is truly interesting, to a perambulation over this great battle 54 to see the spot upon which the dragging valorous Wyatt was salin while in foccu-firing a frame building that was of the shelter for the enemy.
... After firing it in two places they were even off so hurriedly by the New Kent and James City cavalry that they did not have an opportunity of witnessing such an unholy conflagration.
The roads from Yorktown to this place are almost impassible and bottomless, owing to the copious rains and constant travel upon them; and, as far as we have been able to learn, others, if not all, are in the same condition.
Notwithstanding the horrible state of the roads, we have been supplied with an abundance of both forage and provisions.
The cry of beef is not as often or as loudly heard as three months since, as that of pork has been substituted in its place.
The military ardor of our valiant soldiers burns with the same fire that it did twelve months ago; they are unwilling to strike their colors at so important a juncture as this, when our very existence as a nation is imperiled, and at a time when the whole country is looking intently at this stalwart and powerful arm to ward off the blow; but they are coming up nobly and gallantly to the standard of their country, to drive back, at all buzzards, the fiend-like invaders of the sunny South; they are evincing this determination every day by the large numbers that are re-enlisting for another term of service.
It argues that it is not for the paltry remuneration, received at the hands of the Government, which induces them to serve their country, out that they are actuated by patriotism and nobler impulses.
An election in the New Kent cavalry, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the demise of Capt. Melville Vaiden, was held a few days ago, which resulted as follows — viz: Telemachus Taylor, Captain; Wm. E. Clopton, 1st Lieutenant; Oliver M. Chandler, 2d Lieutenant; Southey L. Savage, 3d Lieutenant; James S. Christian, 2d Sergeant; Michael Sherman, 5th Sergeant, Samuel H. Apperson, 4th Corporal.
This company has done hard service since it has been on the Peninsula.
It has been on an out-post all the winter, but the men perform their duties with alacrity and cheerfulness.
Dyke. 