Enclosed you have the copy of a letter from Col. [William] Woodford to me, dated 3 o'clock yesterday, since which a snow and two small vessels have gone up to Norfolk. She appeared to have a great many men on board, but was not a vessel of war. There are three others (one a brig) in the bay, this morning coming up, which Capt. [James] Barron has just gone to look after. Some little time after my express left Norfolk, with the enclosed, ² a very heavy firing began, and continued chief part of the night; and a considerable fire was discovered there about dark, which continued burning many hours.