From Norfolk.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Sept. 2.
Yesterday, the first day of the week, month and fall, was perfectly charming.
The churches were well filled, and the preaching was generally impressive and appropriate.
Fervent prayer ascended from devout hearts for our country, its rulers, and our army.--Rev. G. W. Carter, D. D., preached most eloquently and impressively in the morning, and at night to crowded audiences, including many of the troops.
I learn that he is superintending the construction of some very important and ingenious mechanical contrivances, which will no doubt prove exceedingly useful and officiant in the war. But I will not particularize.
It is stated here, and is no doubt true, that the prisoners taken by the Federal fleet were landed at Fort Monroe yesterday, from the steamer Quaker City.
Active and judicious measures are being taken to disperse the Yankee troops, that were allowed, by neglect and tardy movements, to get possession of a strong point on the Carolina coast.
It is stated in a paper of another State, that Augusta J. Evans, of Mobile, author of ‘ "Beulah,"’ who ‘"promises to be the Florence Nightingale of America," ’ was, at last accounts, in the camp at Norfolk, passing about among the toling soldiers, offering her aid wherever needed, and dispensing smiles and words of encouragement.
She has been here, but left few weeks ago for another and, perhaps, a more extensive field, for the prosecution of her ‘"angel like"’ works of love and mercy.
It would seem that her courage is equal to her genius, her heroism to her piety and personal loveliness.
The Norfolk Junior Volunteers, Captain F. F. Ferguson, one of the best drilled volunteer companies of the State, have changed their quarters from Boush's Bluff to another position in the vicinity, to which they marched to-day.
I may as well mention, for information here and elsewhere in the army, that the ladies need not longer wear out their fingers and eyes in picking lint for the soldiers, as it has been discovered by experienced physicians that ‘"clean cotton answers just as well as lint for dressing wounds."’ Some of the European surgeons use cotton in preference to lint.
Thousands of the troops in this part of the State are in a more healthful condition than when they entered the army.
Many men who were pale and apparently sickly, complaining of dyspepsia, rheumatism, headaches, heartaches, gout, &c., have ceased their complaining, and have become strong and healthy.
The pure, salt air, the invigorating exercise of camp life, the regular hours of eating and sleeping, and the coarse, though whole some diet, have in many cases produced a wonderful and most agreeable change in feeling and appearance, head, heart and limb.
I know some worthy men who have been completely metamorphosed.
Before they entered the service they were lean, gaunt, hatchet faced, and in consequence of indigestion, confinement, breathing carbonic acid gas, leaning over desks, books and counters, were not always as pleasant as a May morning — now they are as robust as mountaineers and as cheerful and musical as a sky-lark at sunrise in the gay spring time.
Many of the soldiers who have been sick are rapidly recovering.
By skillful medical attendance and careful nursing, they are getting well and will soon be able to do active service.
But few, comparatively, have died here.
Some, alas, in consequence of imprudence, have paid the sad penalty that inevitably follows dissipation and a disregard for the wise and reasonable physical laws, and are no longer in the ranks.
But it is a source of thankfulness and gratification that the number of deaths thus far has been small.
Now that the hot season has nearly passed, and the cool breezes come down from the mountains and from over the ocean, the health of the feeble and sickly will be greatly improved and soon entirely restored.
And as the ladies thousands of them, are busily engaged in preparing suitable articles for the comfort of the brave Southern troops, they may reasonably expect, notwithstanding their many privations and hardships, a measurably pleasant time during the fall and winter.
The Mayor's Court is still devoid of interest.
There have been no important arrests for a week. 