Affairs in Norfolk.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.] Richmond Sept. 19.
From a lady but just arrived from Norfolk, we gain the following account of the present state of affairs in that city:
Within the last few wash a very striking change has taken place in the aspect of the people.
The countenance of the citizens are radiant.
They greet each other with joyous armies and nearly congratulatory shakes of the hand, while the Yankees, on the contrary, slink by with sullen, scowling, and anxious faces.
By order of Gen Vicle, guards have been placed at the doors of the hotels and at the corners of the streets, and citizens are forbidden to assemble on the streets in groups of more than three.
Houses have been searched for concealed arms and Confederate flags.
Yet on the whole, under the administration of Gen. Vicle the Yankee rule is much milder than it might be. Gen. V.'s policy is rather conciliatory than otherwise — decidedly more so than that of the present Provost Marshal, Capt. Leibenan, whose harsh measures and uncourteous manner (especially to the ladies) render him very unpopular.
The people have lost much in the resignation of Col Christensen, the former Provost Marshal, now promoted to Gen. Wool's staff.
Col Christensen was a thorough gentleman — kind hearted, humane, and invariably polished and courteous in his manner alike to high and low. Under his administration justice was impartially dispensed, and his sympathies and kind services were easily enlisted in behalf of the distressed.
The writer of this article knew him well, and though standing politically opposed as an enemy, could not but accord him the esteem and regard which his qualities as an honorable and kind hearted gentleman demanded from all who were capable of appreciating such, whether in friend or foe. Fortunate would it be for the citizens of Norfolk did the present Provost Marshal resemble his predecessor.
It may yet be worse for them should a change take place in the office of Military Governor. Gen. Vicle visited Washington some ten days ago, and it is rumored that the object of his visit was to tender his resignation of his present post.
With regard to the evacuation of Suffolk and Norfolk, it is certain that no such measure is at present contemplated.
About 5,000 troops left Suffolk last week for Washington, some 10,000 remaining and these were a few days after reinforced, though to what extent is not known.
The Federal officers state that they may evacuate Suffolk in case of attack, but only to fall back upon Norfolk, where they could be readily reinforced from Fortress Monroe and Newport News, and if compelled to leave Norfolk, the city will be shrilled and burned. The Minnesota was the only vessel-of-war at Norfolk when the writer left, some six days since.
She had been for more than a week advertising for a pilot offering $500 for one to take her down to Fortress Monroe; though at the date mentioned none had offered.
As an illustration of the present state of affairs in Norfolk, we will give some account of the funeral of a Confederate soldier — C. H. Dougherty, son of the Hon. L. Dougherty, of Tuscagee, Ala.--which took place on Sunday, 17th of August. On his death bed, at Fortress Monroe, he was visited by Mrs. T.-- a lady of Norfolk, and of her he requested that his body might be interred at Norfolk, by the side of a dear and gallant young companion in arms, A. S. Keiser, who had died some days previous.
From Gen. Dix Mrs. T. --obtained a promise that this request should be complied with, on condition that she ‘ "would answer for the expenses."’ On Saturday, accordingly, the following telegraphic dispatch was received: ‘"Mr. J. G. D.--Dear Sir: C. H. Dougherty is dead.
If his remains are sent to Norfolk, will the expenses be defrayed?
Surgeon Brownson."’ The answer immediately returned was. ‘"Send the body by the early boat.
I will defray all expenses."’ Accordingly, at 11 o'clock, the gentleman repaired to the boat, and, in answer to his inquiry, the Captain replied very gruffly that he ‘"knew nothing about any dead Confederates. "’ A second dispatch was then sent, and yet a third--no answer being returned.
A note was then received by Mr. G., from the Provost Marshal, which ran thus: "Sir — If the body of C. H. Dougherty is forwarded to Norfolk, and here buried, you will please take no ice that no one shall attend the funeral but the relatives of deceased.
I shall be present with a body guard, and will have all other persons arrested; and shall also bold you responsible for any demonstration, of whatever character.--Let me know where and at what hour the funeral will take place.
C. Liebenau,
Provost Marshal."
This note Mr. G. at once took to Mrs. T., who, with another lady, forthwith proceeded to General Vicle's residence.
Here the guard refused them admittance, but finally allowed them to send a message to the General, who, though at dinner, consented to see them.
He received them very politely, and Mrs. T., rising, said in a very excited and indignant manner, ‘ "General, is this note written by your order?
If so, arrest me, as I alone am responsible in this affair.
And if this note was written with your knowledge or consent, I shall not allow the body to be removed from the boat, but in explanation will cause the note to be read in the church."’ The General read the note, and remarked that it had been written without his knowledge, but that he had lately received a very insulting note from Washington, blaming him for allowing such large processions at the burial of Confederate soldiers.
He then inquired into the particulars or young Dougherty's death, and asked how many persons Mrs. T. thought would attend the funeral?
She replied, ‘"About three thousand."’ ‘"Are these processions got up in defiance of the Federal Government?
or would the number have been equally large had the young man died while the city was in possession of Confederate troops"’ She replied, ‘"In the latter case it would have been twice as large, as the various regiments, with citizens who are not now here, would have followed his remains to the grave."’ ‘"In that case,"’ replied the General, ‘"I see no harm in permitting the funeral procession; and death, whether of friend or foe, is too sacred a subject for quarrelling or contention."’ He there upon wrote to the Provost Marshal, countermanding the order of the latter, and remarked that he would insist upon one condition only, which was, that no Confederate flag should be used upon the occasion.
The funeral accordingly took place from St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church. Mr. Okeson, the pastor, read the service in a very impressive manner, tears being in the eyes of many, even of the male portion of the congregation.
The crowd was so dense within the church that it was almost impossible to breathe; and without the pave and street were crowded.
The coffin was placed in front of the pulpit, and covered with flowers — small Confederate flags being also quietly deposited within it before it was finally closed.
The procession of men, women and children who followed the body to the cemetery was estimated at about 4,000.--Young ladies threw wreaths and garlands into the grave, and it was then filled up by our most prominent citizens, who relieved each other.
Quietly and sadly the crowd departed; many a tearful glance being thrown backward at the row of almost fresh graves, marked as yet only by wreaths of flowers which are daily deposited upon these last resting places of some of our brave soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to the cause of their country.
Honored be the spot, and the names of those who rest there!
C. H. Dougherty, aged 18, was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Fair Oaks; thence conveyed to the Mill Creek General Hospital, at Fortress Monroe, with various others, of whom the writer remembers only the names of C. Kelser and A. S. Kelser, father and son. When Mrs. T., above mentioned, with other ladies from Norfolk, visited the hospital, they found these three lying wounded, side by side.
Young Keizer, as noble a youth as ever fought in his country's cause, was the first to die, and was buried in Norfolk, his aged father be ing permitted to attend his son's funeral.
He died resigned and happy, with many tender messages for his mother and absent friends, and a wish only that he might be permitted to live to fight to the end in his country's cause.
His friend and comrade, young Dougherty, was the next victim.
These two sleep side by side.
Next them is the grave of a young man of Alabama, named Coachman.--In one of the battles before Richmond, after fighting long and gallantly, he was finally shot down, and being taken prisoner, conveyed to Fortress Monroe.
Here amputation of an arm was found necessary.
His sufferings were borne with a heroic patience and fortitude which won even the admiration of his enemies.
A lady, seated beside his bed, remarked.
‘"You must be tired of fighting, and will have a rest how."’ His eye kindled, his pale face flushed, and feebly raising his remaining arm above his head, he exclaimed, in clear, firm tones.
‘"Not whiles I have another arm with which to strike a blow in our glorious cause"’ Noble sentiment, and nobly expressed!
Regarding the funeral of young Dougherty, we will append the following notice, contained in the N. Y. Times, of August 21;
"An event took place in Norfolk yesterday which many choose to look upon indifferently, but which all loyal people here regret exceedingly.--The Secessionists of Norfolk, who, beyond all question, have been every day becoming more rampant and defiant during the last two or three months, had a grand opportunity yesterday of exhibiting the intensity of their feelings and open sympathy for our enemies.
"It was on the occasion of the burial of a private named Dougherty, of the Third Alabama Regiment.
The funeral ceremony took place at the church of St. Paul's, where Rev. O. Keerson officiated amid a great crowd, chiefly of women.
The body was afterwards conducted to the cemetery, attended by a large concourse of people.
It is stated.--I know not how truly — that a prominent rebel citizen having seen Gen. Vicle on the subject previously, the latter consented, provided no more than fifty were present, but, instead of fifty, a large concourse of people were collected from the towns of Norfolk and Suffolk, and numbering at the least estimate between five and six hundred, (about 4,000 he means.) The men followed the corpse, and the women lined the sidewalks.
The Collin was completely covered with wreaths of flowers, and at the grave the ladies standing by threw bouquets in showers over the heads of the people.
Now, anywhere else, and under any other circumstances, God forbid that I should utter one word against this feeling of respect shown to the dead; but when we consider the position in which Norfolk stands toward the Union at this moment, and the utter contempt they have shown toward Unionist and the Administration of the United States, it does seem to me — and it will be odd it the public do not think so, too — that the ends of humanly could have been obtained with much lest ostentation and open in suit to the duty constituted authorities.
Gen. Vicle had ordered that the Secesh flag should not be publicly displayed on the occasion: but the Secesh flag was used, though covertly insinuated among the wreaths of flowers.
‘"This is the third time within a month, but never before on so large a scale, that a similar exhibition has taken place.
That such displays, no matter how good or humane the intent, have the effect of encouraging disloyalty and crushing out entirely whatever Union feeling is existing, no man in his senses can doubt, and I am informed by parties well acquainted with Norfolk, and on whose word I can rely, that in that large crowd there were many Unionists drawn there because on such an occasion to have remained away would have made them marked men, perhaps doomed ones, in the event of the rebels ever returning.
Such latitude may be all very right in the eyes of what some people call conservatism, but conservatives among us would do well to put this question to themselves: Had a Union private died in Richmond would the authorities there have permitted the Unionists of that city to make any such display at his grave.
If not, why this difference!
What right (the people indignantly ask) have our public servants to be constantly showering kindnesses and benefits upon disloyal people, who return them only with haired and contempt and deny the same advantages to use? "’ 