From Norfolk.
[special correspondence of the Dispatch.] Norfolk, Nov. 9th, 1861.
The intelligence of the inconsiderable Federal success at Port Royal by an over powering naval force causes much regret here; out the affair, over which the deceptive and piratical Yankees will have a grand ‘"jollification,"’ should not be considered a matter of any very great moment.
The ships, with their large guns, have succeeded in passing two forts and anchoring among some islands, a considerable distance from the main land.
The Federal troops dare not attempt to leave the seacoast and go up into the country.
After a tremendous flourish of trumpets they have silenced two forts with indifferent guns and only a few rounds of ammunition.
The ship reported ashore near Ocracoke Inlet was the French steam frigate Prony of about one thousand tons burden and seven guns, about 32-pounders.
She was from Charleston, bound to New York, and went ashore last Sunday morning at 3 o'clock. Shortly after she struck, four Yankee vessels passed her, and, having answered the signals of distress, promised assistance; but were too contemptible and mean to afford any relief whatever.
It is reported, too, that the Prony was fired in to by some of the Federal ships, but this is not confirmed.
As soon as possible, the Confederate steamers Winslow, Curiew, and Albemarle went to the assistance of the frigate and succeeded in saving the officers and crew, 145 in number, together with the baggage, small arms, instruments, &c., now on the way to this city and expected to arrive to-day.
The Confederate steamer Winslow, on running out towards the frigate on Wednesday, struck some object and immediately commenced to sink.
She was set on fire and abandoned.
After everything that could be removed from the frigate was saved, she was set on fire by our men, and soon blew up with a loud report, and presenting a grand sight.
The officers and crew of the Prony express themselves in terms of much thankfulness for the valuable and timely assistance rendered them.
Our busy little fleet in the Old North State are, for the most part, as follows: ‘
Sea Bird--Flag-officer Lynch.
Curlew--Captain Hunter.
Fanny--Captain Taylor.
Forrest--Captain Hoole.
Ellis--Captain Cooke.
Winslow--(Sunk and partially burned,) Captain McCarrick. ’
The soldier who was recently found guilty by court-martial of a revolting crime, and condemned to be executed, suffered the penalty of death yesterday, in Norfolk county, seven miles from Portsmouth.
Having been conducted out to the place of execution, the doomed man was shot.
Thirty men aimed their guns at the culprit, and three bells passing through his body, he fell and died almost immediately.
Gen. Henry A. Wise, one of Virginia's most brave men, the able statesman and brilliant orator, arrived here yesterday, accompanied by his son, the gallant Capt. O. J. Wise, and has gone out to his beautiful farm in Princess Anne, about eight miles from this city, to recover his health, rest from the tells of war, and get ready to go forth again to assist in the great work of defending our soil from the invading forces of Yankee hirelings.
It is highly probable, indeed, almost certain, that if Wise's views and counsels had been heeded, the present war would be brought to an early termination.
Virginia's magnificent strong hold would have been ours in the spring, our harbor open, and a heavy shipping business progressing in the seaport towns of the Old Dominion. 