The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-08

A soon a. the Roads were cleared, the MIN
nesota moved down toher old anchorage, on
raratory to giving the Merrimsc a proper re-
ception should she attempt to come out O
Norfolk, srrport says she inteads TO do or
the very first favorable night. It Is unques
ably true that Com. 0oidsncrough IL in nos
session of information which leads him IL
make this preya rAtion, ard thus inkdces COR.
responding watehfulness on the part of the
Fortress. 1t Is said that, should the rebel fri
gate, or iron clad battery, attempt to pas out
the Minnesota will not hesitate TO lay close
alongside of her and board her ut all hazards
How many, la such case, would ever as
cend alive to the decks, may readily be con-
Jectured. In undertaking the enterprise. the
rebels have no doubt fully estimated the haz.
ards and resolved TO take them all. 1t would
be disgrace 10 our Navy should the rebels
sacceed. 1t, therefore, becomes matter OF
course on our psrt that the attempt will be
resisted to the desperate end The great gun,
Union, has been turned so as to face the
channel which a slip, after rounding Ssweii's
Point, must take and there the great iron
monster, with a 400 pound shot in his throat
stands day and night, keeping sleepless watch
Com. Goldshorough appears willing, with
the cooperation OF the Fortress, to rely on
his noble frigate alone.
Although Gen. Wool was not In any man
ner officially informed Of the expedition, Its
character, objects, destination, or even of its
presence the Roads, for the week it lay here,
nearly or quite as much was imposed ON him
cone rning it, that it might finally get of, ia
though ne was responsible for its conception
arrangements and results. To say the least,
this has been peculiar feature. IL wonId
be useless, IL not hurtful, now to detail the
many particulars In which the expediti ton,
like founding, was thrown on the hands
of Gen. Wool, who officially was kept as
m uch in tne dark concerning it as the outside
world.
During its stay here it was re-supplied with
ammunition, and at the last moment repro
yisioned from this department, more ng an
act of mercy and courtesy, inspired with a
wish to do everything possible to give success
to an expedition from which very much YVES
expected, but which promised SO little ia it's
early stages.
Where tne ponderous machinery pinched
and what really was the cause OF the delay
and Encouragement that bodied so much i'll,
l have hoard no two persons agree. How
much longer the delay wonld have been, had
not General Wool, in the most energetic
manner, fairly kicked it in end, and fairly
ont of the EaTbor, it is difficult to say, if with
the final sailing. we have sean the last Of the
blunders and dissensons, all may vet he
well with this nevertheless grand eXpadi ticn
within the last few weeks, Gen. Wool =
forces, though he has twice reinforced Gen
Mcclellan, on the Potomac, have been in
creased, 50 that we now have force lu4s as
great As at any period since the war com =
meneed andyet 10 enable him 10 andertak
aggressive operations, he must have more
men, and especially more artillery.
The drill and discipline of the troops are
thorough and rigid, and It it is possible 10
make good soidiers1of the nee ,she fact il in
process OF .ecertainIGent.
4 correspondent of the New York Times
writing under date of~'Eortress Monroe, Oct.
81 ssys
Gen. Mans field IL IN command of the bri
gade al Camp Hamilton, while Gen Phelps
holds tho same position at Newport News
The latter position is cue of contin ual il ter
nst n = Su 10 1, h.,
keep up a continual watchfulness over our
movements. Indeed, it would seem that he
time had come when It was necessary 10 sally
out and drive the rebels back, or what would
he better, bring ths II further into our lines
where, as prisoners, they would have q much
easier and II uch better fed cam paigu. Our
men are ready to undertake it; It only re-
mains for the General to give the word
Nothins has been heard Of the York town
since her appearance near Newport News
about a month since, when Captain Murray
OF the Louisiana, put couple Of shots
through her, and Lieut.. Loder, of the shor5
battery, "pepperad her sharply. The Con.
gress and Cum berIsnd are still there.
The Minnesota and two or three grnboat;
constitute the naval fierce st Old Point al
present.
morrow for the first lime in three weeks. A
large number of persons, principally ladies
are waiting in Il fillmore 10 ka passage. I
js not the intention of Gen. Wool TO resum,
yious TO the late sus pension, and / under.
stand that passes which have been SO liberaliJ
Issued by the Lieutenant General aud Sc
cretary OF State Will hereafter be given bu
sparimgly
There is no room for doubt that the rebe!s
avail themselves extensively Of these OPP r.
tuniiies for communicating valuable infor
nation. In spite of the searching scrut iuy
with which bagg tge is searched-nine- ten tbs
OF the passengers bling wonen-le:ters hav;
without don ot been smugglad through.
The search has not unfrequeutiy detected
letters seoretad in curious places, and in oas
Instance, = letter was found on an iufaat hit.
den in the very last place where Il mar
would probably look. The necessity fer fe
male examination is obvious, and it is no
unlikely that If ladies are permitted to go a
all they will be subjected 10 4 scrutiny tha
will remove all doubts on the sIouggiius
question.
The Old ship ndywlne, with her nast
ont and cut down, arri, ed here last evening
in tow of the Mcclellan, rs u store ship
deeply laden and drawing "A feet water. lie
cargo, wholly of supplies fer the Navy, is Q
immense value.