Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
affairs in Suffolk.
Suffolk, July 23, 1861.
On yesterday morning a large company of citizens assembled at the depot of the Norfolk & Petersburg Railroad to hear news from our army at Manassas, a rumor having somehow gotten afloat the previous evening that fighting was going on there.
The first effect of the news when it reached us was subduing, and our hearts bled awhile for the noble Southrons who must have fallen in that terrible battle.
But gratitude to the great God of armies, who dispensed the victory to our troops, soon filled our souls, dispelling for a time every other emotion; and at noon our churchbells, in one lusty chime of half an hour, pealed forth our exuberant joy. At 6 o'clock in the evening, the Methodist E. Church was thrown open to give an opportunity to the citizens to unite in returning thanks to Almighty God for his blessing upon us, but that service was entirely prevented by one of the heaviest rain storms we have ever had. All honor to the noble Memminger, however, who has, by his resolutions, called the Christians of the land to this noble service on next Sunday; the splendid inspiration of Moses in his beautiful hymn of triumph will again be heard pealing in our churches, and many a lovely Miriam, with notes of loud-toned organs, will gratefully sing, "The Lord hath triumphed gloriously." I must resolutely forbear to give you any information of our military, &c. I must not fail, however, to speak of the kindness of our ladies and citizens to the sick soldiers at this post. Everything that mortals can do, is done for their comfort and safety.
The "Florence Nightingale Association," of this place, though its existence is scarcely known beyond it, is worthy the fame of the devoted woman after whom it is called; nor need you be surprised to hear of its representatives upon every battle-field of the State.
The crops, &c.,thank God, are all right.
Ego.
Ego.
