The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-11-21

But few more illustrations are wanting to e5
tablish the fact that in physical prowess, the
ebcls arc far from true men
THE GREAT FLEET.
A feet composed Of nearl! one hundred OF
the largest steam and sailing vessels of the
United States, and carrying over $4,000 troops
and immense supplies of the munitions of war.
sailed from Fortress Monroe about the lst inst,
| with the intent Of making Ian ling at some
point on the Southern coast. AT what point
the blow would be struck was known only to
those in command, the secret being kept from
our own people in order that it might be kept
from the enemy.
This is one Of the most formidable fleets ever
fitted out. and great expectations are enter
tanned Of what it will be able to accomplish -
When last heard from, it was of Bulls Bay,
short distance North Of Charleston. By some
it is surmsed that its first demonstratien will
be against that pestilent city. This is proba-
BILE. 1t is also possible that the design Is
the opening Of some cotton port Of the South
possibly New Orleans or Mobile. Surmises
till we see what they do.
The above article was intended for our issue
Of last week and as it will show the extent AMI
progress of the expedition up to that time. We
give it place in this issue. We rejoice to
earn that our most sanguine expectations ale
fully realized, respect ng the success of the
Al.
but it has gained the M st important victory
Of the war. The following from the Leaven-
worth Times of the 18th. shows the Importance
Of its first achievement:
All doubts as to the success of the Naval
Expedition are put at rest by the dispatches
in this mornings paper. The fleet suffered
considerably from the terrible gale which
overlook it before reaching Port Royal, bu'
beyond that the loss was small in compari-
son to the grand victory which it achieved.
1t is impossible to estimate the advantages
gained by the success Of the expedition.
Of one thing we are certain, however, in
spite of all the rebels can do, cotton, and
of the best quality, will soon be opened to
the market, aud that without the necessity
IF England or France interfering in our
affairs by breaking the blockade.
We hope our forces will not stop at the
advantage gained by the possession of the
Island of Port Poyal, but push on and take
Charleston or Savannah, both places being
only Gfty mites from Beaufort. The rail.
road connecting Charleston and Savannah,
runs within few miles OF Beaufort. aud is
undoubtedly now in possession of our forces.
The following description of the Harbor
and Island of PYrt Royal will give some
idea of the importance OF the victory our
forces have gained:
"Port Royal is fifteen miles northeast
| from the mouth Of the Savannah river, and
is in all respects the most eligible point
along the Southern coast for effecting a
hostile landing. The entrance to the har-
bor is one of the best nelow Norfolk; and
the harbor itself is large enough to admit
of the anchorage and movements of the
whole feet. The city of Beaufort is situ-
ated on the east side of the harbor, on Port
Royal Island, with population of about
one thousand The harbor runs into and
commands Beaufort county, which con-
| stitutes the southern extremity of Sou.h
Carolina. The population of the district in
1850 was 3S,805, Of which only $500 were
! free
"The chief staples of the district are COT
ton, rice, Indian corn, and sweet potatoes
Beaufort is one of the most populons dis
tric,s of South Carolina The surrounding
country is level plain, but little elevated
above the sea and the soil is alluvial and
sandy, we'll adapted apparently for quar-
tering troops, md for the movements Of
an attacking army. Port Royal cemsu
nica,es almost directly, By railroad, with
both Charleston and Savannah. A force
moving up the river from Beaufort city
would strike the Charleston and Savannah
Kailroad At point about City miles from
Charleston on the one hand, and City miles
from Savannah on the other. The acqui-
sition of that road, will, of course, be one
of the FIRST movements of the expedisionary
army, giving, as it would, the command #
both cities, and easy access to them, besides
cutting of the facilities of transit and
transport from the rebels.
| $50 long as our troops may fnd it nsess-