From Norfolk.
a Henry gale — its probable effect on the Burnside Expedition-- ‘"Heavy Firing"’--fatal Affray between two Sailors — irregularity of the mails, &c.[special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Norfolk, Jan. 16, 1863.
Tuesday night the wind lulled, and yesterday the weather, though rainy, was comparatively calm.
I learn that the wind blew very heavily on the coast on Monday, and that the sea was running high.
It is probable, therefore, that the Yankee fleet encountered a gale that may have caused much disaster and loss.
Nothing reliable, however, has been heard here from the fleet.
Of course, much interest is felt in regard to the voyage and destination of the Yankee vessels.
A few hours may suffice to place the public mind in possession of the desired information:
Heavy discharges of artillery are heard this morning, the sound coming from the direction of Old Point.
The Yankee artillerymen, and our boys, too, are probably shooting at a target, or discharging their pieces as usual after rainy weather.
Yesterday a quarrel took place between two marines on board the Confederate ship States, lying off the Navy-Yard, and one of the men, named Dorsey, becoming enraged on being charged with theft by the other, (McLaughlin,) seized a rifle and struck his adversary a blow on the face, which broke his jaw bone and dislocated his neck, killing him instantly.
Dorsey was arrested, and an investigation of the case will take place this morning before the Mayor of Portsmouth.
The Irish vessel which went ashore last week on the coast a short distance south of Cape Henry, will be a total loss.
The crew have arrived here and will go North, in order to return home.
They will probably leave this city to-day for Old Point, in a steamer expected to go down under a flag of truce.
Considerable delay and irregularity have been caused in the mails for two or three days past, by the snow, which has somewhat retarded the speed of the railroad trains.
At a meeting of the Seaboard Rifles, held on the 14th, at the Entrenched Camp, resolutions were passed relative to young Gornto, who was killed accidentally on Saturday last.
The following is one of the resolutions adopted by the meeting:
Resolved, That while we bow in humble obedience to the decree of an All-wise Providence, yet we can but lament the sad loss we sustain, both on our company and our social circle, for he was a good soldier, a warm-hearted friend, and a true gentleman.
The weather, to-day is charming; the sun shines very brightly; the air is mild and pleasant, and the fashion and beauty of the city are coming forth to give the wonted attraction to our principal thoroughfares. 