There is nothing like inaction to tell upon the health of troops.

However, we certainly shall not stay here.

It would be impossible to victual the army, and I expect that, before long, we shall march away and take up quarters for the winter.
"As to operations on a great scale, they are out of the question.
After the thrashing they have had, the Russians will be months before they are in a condition to take the offensive again; while we are equally unable to move because, in the first place, we are not strong enough to do so, and in the second we have no baggage train to carry provisions with us, and no provisions to carry if we had it." On the 13th of December, the king quitted Narva with the army, and on the 19th arrived at Lais, an old castle six miles from Derpt, and here established his headquarters.

A few of the troops were stationed in villages, but the greater part in rough huts in the neighbourhood, and along the frontier.
It was not long before Major Jamieson's predictions were verified.
A low fever, occasioned by the fatiguing marches and the hardships they had endured, added to the misery from the cold and wet that penetrated the wretched huts, spread rapidly through the army.

Many died, and great numbers were absolutely prostrated.
The king was indefatigable in his efforts to keep up the spirits of the troops.