The New World of the western hemisphere was devastated by the 1775–1782 North American smallpox epidemic. Columbus' first voyage to America can be attributed for bringing this virus to America and led to its spread across most of the continent of North America. Washington also suspected that the British were using the smallpox disease as a form of "biological warfare" by placing disease infested people into the American encampment. Smallpox was considered more of threat to the Americans. The British admitted that their commanders ordered the smallpox operations. (Savas and Dameron).