A gentleman who arrived in this city from
Norfolk yesterday, which place he left on Thursday of last week, has given us some account of the condition of affairs there.
The Federal force in the city consisted of one company of the 19th Wisconsin regiment for guard duty.
Another company of the same regiment was performing line service in
Portsmouth.
Some three hundred of the 99th
N. York regiment were stationed at the
Fair Grounds, and abut one hundred at the entrenched camp, 2½ miles from the city.
One cavalry company is stationed at
Ferry Point, and two cavalry companies are performing picket duty between
Portsmouth and
Suffolk.
There were between 4,000 and 5,000 troops at
Suffolk.
The enemy's pickets were driven in every night, with a loss of four or five nightly.
A few nights since fourteen horses came in with empty saddles.
The enemy have about 15,000 troops at Newport News who came to that point about a week ago. There are two iron-clad steamers at
Old Point, besides the
Monitor, differing from that vessel in construction; also, six or eight mortar boats.
Our informant has seen a letter from one of the crew of a mortar boat, which stated that the fleet was designed for an attack on Drury's Bluff.
Between
Hampton and
Old Point immense wood on sheds had been constructed for hospital purposes covering some 20 acres of ground.
These were filled with sick and wounded, numbering thousands.
The
Minnesota was lying at the old naval anchorage, near
Norfolk, with steam up night and day, and her pumps working.
It is said she is too leaky to venture to sea from the effects of her encounter with the
Virginia last spring.
On Thursday week the enrollment of the citizens of
Norfolk and
Portsmouth commenced, preparatory to the draft of the
Lincoln Government; but
Gen. Vicle, the
Military Governor, distrusting the citizens, had visited
Washington and secured a discontinuance of the enrollment.
Gen. V. publicly declares that he does not recognize any one as a gentleman who has voluntarily taken the oath.
Business was completely prostrate, no one being allowed to engage in any pursuit who has not taken the eath.
There was a rumor on Wednesday and Thursday that the enemy were preparing to evacuate
Norfolk.
An order had been issued to the sutlers not to increase their stock of goods.
Very few persons have taken the oath, and nearly all of these were deserters from our army.
The great body of the citizens remain loyal and true to the
South.
