Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-02
InterostlnG from NerfoiIE.

~
We yesterday, Gays the Baltimore American,
Of Thursday, had quite q prolonged interview
with gentleman direct from Norfolk, who has
resided for some years in that vicinity, and be-
ing opposed to secession, thought better, In con.
nection with the utter prostration OF all kinds
of business, to leave. He denies the state
ments put forth that those 10 favor Of the Union
have been mobbed or illtreated. 1t would, Of
course, not do for them to express themselves
too strongly, but those who remained quiet were
not molested. There were but six Union votes
cast in Norfolk, and eighty in Portsmouth; Of the
latter, seventy were members OF q rife company,
which was Immediately disbanded and their
arms taken from them.
The troops in Norfolk aud the vicinity are
variously stated, but he did not think that there
are more than 1000, and that they lack disci.
plne very much, though we'll armed and equip
ped. and will fight, il properly brought In the
field Numbers of boys from fifteen to eighteen
years or age he represents as shouldefing their
muskets and doing camp duty with all the ener.
gy Of veterans.
A schooner loaded with heavy cannon was
despatched short time since through the canal,
which were destined for Fort Pickens.
The battery onlSeWall's Point was understood
in Norfolk to be nearly destroyed by the guns Of
the Monticello, though large force Of hands
were at work repairing and Strengthening
IL again. II was understood to be the inten
tion Of General Butler to land his forces o.
Ocean View, on Hampton Roads, about si1
miles from Sewall's Point, and about ten miles
by two good roads, to Norfolk. There is tint
sandy beach here, and the guns OF the Cumoer
land can effectually protect the landing o
troops This will enable him to move on Nor
folk by regular siege movements, unless attack
cd hy a adu
General Huger, late Of the Pikesville Arse
nal, near Baltimore, was in command on Tues
day evening, when our informant left, thoug
J General Beaureg,lrd was expected TO arrive tn
same evening.
The prostration Of business at PoPtsmout
and Norfolk is most thorough and complete
The Navy Yard, the truck trade, and nava
: stores, on which the business and almost exist
ence Of the two cities 10 based, have ceased, an
were il not for the abundance of vegetables an
fish, there would be much suffering among tn
poor. The truck gardeners are giving ava
their peas and Strawberries to any one who wi
take the trouble Of gathering them. A grea
many Of the immense pea fields haVS been ploW
+, ed in for the purpose,of planting corn. The Gro
|, of garden truck aud strawberries shipped to ba
i timore, New York and Philadelphia, last yea
during May and June,y yielded $4OO,OOO, andltf
. yield this year was confidently expected
; amount to not less than $600,OOO
General Huger, the mmander'in-chief, holI
r his head quarters in the Custom House, ov
Q which the Confederate flag floats. The troo
: are camped on the Fair Grounds, q very fine i
. cation and the officers are drilling and discplil
e ing the men as rapidly as possible. There is al
9 good force at Fort Norfolk and the other ba
J; teries. They have but one riaed cannon, al
:, that is at SeEall's Point.