[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Atrocities of the enemy in the counties of Hertford and Gates, N. C. --Destruction of property — cruelty towards Unoffending citizens, &c. Gates County, N. C., Aug. 8, 1862.
On the 4th instant, the enemy proceeded up the Chowan river, as far as Mr. Abm.
Riddick's, where they landed and took off about 3,000 lbs. bacon hams, charging Riddick to see that not a pound was removed until they came again.
They made an appropriation of the entire contents of his dairy, eating and destroying all the milk and butter on the premises.
Thirty-nine negro men vamoosed of Mr. Riddick's at the same time.
Nine of John D, Myrick's; nine of W. T. Bynum's; three of J. A. Britt's negroes, and a number of other negroes have been spirited away — all this in Hertford co.
On the 6th instant the vandals landed at Bethel, Winton, and Cloraine; took off a large number of negroes and made prisoner of young Sharp, a worthy, quiet young man, taking him on board their ships.
In this county, and in the counties of Chowan and Nansemond, the Yankee squads under the direction of negro guides, have outraged humanity most shockingly.
They have carried off many of our best citizens, who were quietly attending to their agricultural pursuits; insulted most grossly delicate females, and destroyed millions of property.
If Government would send a few regiments as far down as Elizabeth City, and enable planters to harvest their immense crops, it would be an excellent move.
Several recruiting officers of Colonel Wheeler's regiment of Mounted Rangers are quietly moving among the people of Gates and Chowan, and hope that he will soon be able to take the field at the head of 1,000 effective men. Could he form a junction with Col. Dennis Ferebee, of Camden county, they would be able, with the assistance of a battery of 10 or 12 cannon, soon to drive the scoundrel is from our soil. Reveille.
