From Norfolk.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
[Here our correspondent furnishes a long account of the burning of the Winslow, as well as the particulars attending the rescue of the officers and crew on board the French frigate ‘"Prony,"’ which was superseded by the account taken from the Newbern Progress, to be found in another column.]
The officers of the ‘"Prony"’ stopped at the Atlantic Hotel. They lost almost everything they had, and some of them had but the clothes they had on — a lot of their valuables having been destroyed. The captain of the corvette expressed, in complimentary terms, his high regard for the kindness and attention to himself and officers during their whole way to our city. And is shamefully impressed, as you may well imagine, with the conduct of the Lincoln ships towards themselves and crew of the corvette, when they were hear perishing. They expressed themselves as indebted to our little fleet, and to Captain McCarrick particularly, for their safety, and assure him they shall never forget him and his many hospitalities.
The Captain of the French corvette was heard to express himself that France would no doubt recognize the Confederacy in a few weeks. This gratifying intelligence, coming from such a source, may well sustain our most sangume expectations.
While at the hotel they were treated with marked kindness, and many were taken to private houses, and regaled with the choicest wines and every delicacy.
On one or two occasions they toasted that they hoped for the speedy recognition of the Confederacy by France. The corvette was a small ship carrying six guns, although allowed ten. She had come from France on a two years cruise, but had only been away six months. She carried about twelve officers and five midshipmen. A more cordial, frank, and generous set of gentlemen, it has never been my pleasure to see any where. One in coming in their company feels at once at home and forgets that he is in the society of French nobility, so pleasantly pass the hours.
They will leave to-day by via of flag of truce for Old Point, where they will take the Baltimore boat for Baltimore. We bid them God speed to their happy homes. The French Consul at this place, Duncan Robertson, Esq., will see that they want for nothing, and will probably accompany them to the Point.
The only drawback that prevented their time from being more agreeable than it otherwise would have been, was the great dignity of understanding the English language, and of our understanding correctly their language. But this difficulty was obviated in a degree by several French gentlemen in our city, who, I am glad to see, showed them every attention.
One of them gave me his photograph, taken in France, which, I assure you, will be kept in kind remembrance. Luna.
