From Norfolk.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Norfolk, November 8th, 1861.
Ten men who lately worked in the Gosport yard, and who had their names down as a lien enemies, have been sent to Richmond, we presume, if they receive their just deserts, to be incarcerated within some prison walls, or likewise disposed of. The rascality of one of these fellows is well shown up in the following truthful narrative, given us by a friend: About the time the State seceded, one of these applied to Com. Forrest for work in the yard, assuring him in a very patriotic manner, that he did not wish remuneration for his services: these he would give to the Confederacy.--Nothing more was thought of the matter, as he was a resident of Portsmouth, until within a day or two, the name of this same individual was seen entered among the list of aliens who desired to leave the South.--Here, then, is an instance of a man gaining the good graces of the head of the yard by an act of deception that well deserves the most rigid punishment.
I am glad to know that they were not allowed to leave, for, if so, we can well imagine the evil results that would flow from our own hands.
Some of them, I am told, have also been at work on the Merrimac, and the fact only forces it upon us that we should be strictly vigilant to whom we grant permits on account of similar favors.--There are vipers in our midst, and we should guard against them.
Three men from Portsmouth happening out on the river last night, the boat capsized, and one of the party named Arthur Harvey, a member of Capt. Richardson's Rifle Company, of Portsmouth, was drowned.
Persons at Pinner's Point hearing the cries of the imperiled party, went off in a boat and after much difficulty and danger succeeded in saving two of them.
Yesterday several shots were fired from the Rip Raps at the fortifications at Sewell's Point, doing no damage.
This morning loud reports were heard from below, coming probably from the Rip Raps.
The ball at the Atlantic last night was at tended by many of the gay and fashionable of this city and of Portsmouth.
A number of Army and Navy officers were present, and the affair passed off admirably; the exciting and healthful exercises continued until a late hour.
At a seasonable hour of the night the long tables were filled with delicacies in profusion and great variety, served in the highest style of the culinary art.
From the vessel lately captured on Curri tuck beach, I am informed 980 bags of coffee were secured.
On Sunday night last four negroes absconded from this section.
It is supposed they have made their way to Old Point, as they went to the farm of a gentleman near the beach and secured a set of cars for the purpose.
The dog which the gentleman usually had chained in the yard was removed previously for fear of giving alarm, so that the matter looks as if it were entirely preconcerted.
There exists in my mind no doubt but that white men or while negroes are at the head of this affair.
A case was lately told me by a gentleman in whom I have full confidence.
He informed me that two young men, a night or two ago, saw a white man pass by a house in one of our public streets, and whistle quite loud, and that shortly thereafter a negro man with his best suit on emerged from the kitchen, and with the white man went down the street.
In a few nights after it was found the negro had escaped.--Here we find a forcible fact sustaining our suspicions — that white men are implicated in their escape.
It is useless to say, if caught, they will suffer their penalty on the gibbet. Luna.
