, 1861-10-30

s1EANs11F ATLANTIC, AAMPTos ROADS. Va,
Friday, Oct. Is, 1851. :
It was supposed by every ptrson connected
with this gigantic naval and military expedi-
tion to the Southern coast, that today would
have found uB well past Cape Henry, and the
direction OF our destination The Fates, how
ever, and Gsn. Sherman, have decided that it
should be otherwise. have already informed
you Of the delsy attending the final preparar
day succeeding our arrival hsre, and it was i'm
possible 10 distribute coal and stores. Even
after the weather favored, and Capt. Saxton,
the Division Quartermaster, with his able as.
sistants, Capts- Haxall aud Fuller, had put
their forces energetieally to the Work, there
where great labor Las to be performed, Ve1a-
tious occurrences which no prudence could
have prevented, and annoying contingencies
fer which zone could be prepared; aud not
until last evening T-a everything in readiness.
The officers and men were Ia the midst OF
lief from tho state Of tedious inaetion which
always e1ists on board crowded ship, When
Gen. Sherman unexpectedly dampened their
gladnes6 By an order directing the disembark-
alton Of the entire force This order, conched
N tsrse military terms, requiring the men to
and conplete equipments, afforded great 1a.i-
tude for conjecture as to its object, and all
manner Of ridiculous su7mises were current.
The one most generally received was, that
denoTstEatlon would be made upon
feIy bot@snn @ to rhfIs he reps Gauf 8 ere sst
cd Instead Of attacking sewen's Point,
the soldiers sre landing among friends on the
beach beneath the frowniDg battlements Of
Fortress Monroe. Gen. Sherman determined
upon this step in order to demonstrate with
what expedition the troops could land upon
the Rn4TrEsE Ehnrp 1'ht {unf1itipp f0r 3a ann
| barking rethuB made manifest, and the men
! have the great adgantase Of practicing the
| parts they will be called upon to perform
I upon more important ard vastly more trying
occa:lon: The landing is now in progress,
and surf boats manned by the crews Of the
ships o1,war ard Of the transports, each capa-
hle Of carrying from fifty to one hundred sol
diere trip, are used. The whole day is
| likely to be consumed by the undertaking,
and doubt whether can give the result ii
| this letter.
| The expedition will be under convoy Of the
naval squadron. The transports will form in
three columns IN the rear Of the naval ships.
The f1rst column, composed Of the Third Brig.
ado, Gen Hright's,) will form in line on the
| right. The 6eeord column, consisting Of the
Third Rhode Island Regiment (embarked hera]
is Joined, takes the centre position, and the
Third Brigade {Gen. V1ele's) Is assigned te
the post on the left These three columns
will move in parallel lines. Sailing VesselE
and other craft, unable to keep up with tbs
larger steamships, Will be toWed By such yes
sels rs the Chief Quart=rmaster u1sy design&te
1hgye just learned that Gen. Sherman this
zf1e1loon will transfer Is headquarters to th'
ftigate Wabash. He will not take any OF hi
staff with him excepting Capt. Pelonz9, As
sistabt Adj1tant General The Wabash, yoa
Enow, is flagship Of the Squadron, aod Com
moGoEe Dupont Was nn1iuus TO have Gsn
Sherman with him, that they might frequsn.l,
coz suit upon the EeightJ affArG which ar
entFntted to their guidance.
Tic expedition is intended to BE- made tt
the euemy's coast, probably under citcumstaz
ceE requiring the ntnest coolnees and ictr;
pidlty Oh the part OF Every officer and man t
The cemmsnd.
| It Was believed By the War Department tbs
there were at least l 600 slAres, or scoatr,
DaEds,a at Fortress Mc'rcr eh!e to perforl
: 8 certain Eort Of labor - .:y to tho o.
ccnplitlnent Vi the j. ::''-.: Of the exped
| tion-epch work as tI1osieg up entreac1
ments and adding to Tie cou.apIt Of the of
GERS. Six hundred Of these negroes were
have accompanied ue, but there is scarce]
I that number at the Fortress, and Gen. Wo
| has plenty Of employment for all Of the
y tpefe. We therefore do Eot t:ea zTy.
: I learn that the dlssnba1k=riun, as an e
!, pertinent, to-day, Ta. perfectly +uccess:cl
= 81. J. W.