New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-28

If our enemies only thoroughly ignorant Of our
point Of destination ourselves are, then there
is Indeed hope for the fall ard perfect suecess OF the
expedition. But if the Rebels exhibit in this in
stance the same foreknowledge Of plans that has
heretofore been 70 surely used to our full orpars
oiscomGture, then, perhaps, we may find, whenever
we may try 70 land an overwhelming force ready to
receive with all the sulphurous and metallic COM
pliments Of the season.
Though there is very little in the way Of news
that may be told still suppose the public Interest u.s.
for the time 60 concentrated this expedition tha
any word respecting its condition wall be gratefully
received.
First, then the affair thus far, has been complete
success. Which is simply to say, that none Of our
vessels have been run ashore by incompetent or
drunken pilots by reason Of impenetrable logs OF
false lights; nor have We az yet learned the army
trick of firing into each other aud killing our own
men. However, these things may come with later
and ripper experience.
There was indeed story that the Illinois, In run
ming down from Annapolis, had grounded of the
mouth Of the Potomac. This rumor was, however,
soon dssipaied by the opporune appearance OF the
Illinois herself, with flying eolors Were II not Tor
our towering flock of ever-resdy gunboas, it might
DO an awkward affair for heavily-aden transport
TO le for many hours aground in that Rebel infected
locality for the audacions Secessionisis might poss
bly, pluck up spirit enough TO attack her. Ana
truly such ship would be prize, the richest OF the
rich to the Rebel forces. But the long Psriott guns
that look each with its single saucy eye from the
gunboat decks do NOT have 30 intensely amiable AN
EXPRESSION that the enemy will DO likely to mistake
is east of countenance for pressing invitation 10
come on board
Through the carelessness Of the pilot, the steamer
Ben Deford did indeed run on a sandbar, and re-
ouired the assistance Of four sister steamers 10
drag her of. but she was rescued without injury.
Save the Ericsson who is expected every hour, the
whole Of the feet have reached this, the final rem
dezyous.
We arrived here in most favorable time, recev
ing the benefit Of the last few hours Of sharp gale
on the short run from Annapolis here. But now
the storm has passed, the If perfectly smooth,
the wind has died away aud If we get oil tomorrow
at the promised hour, We shall sail in the finest Of
fine weather. with fair prospect Of its continuance
for a number Of days contamination deyoutly TO be
wished, if our journeys end lies soath Of Cape Hat
teras.
When the fall liz, Of the vessels composing this
feet can be published it VIII be seen that naval
expedition Of even one-sxth its fze was organ
lied in America.
The amount Of labor that has been requisite 10 iit
out these vessels is something that he only COM
pretended by those who have participated in or ut
least have witnessed the operations. Not only were
the necessary Stores 20 be carried somewhere the
feet but It Wa necessary 10 have them apporoned
that every vossel should have her proper quota OF
each necessary article in order that IT, by gale, OF
from other reasons. the vessels becGme separated,
every ship migh; be comparatively independent Of
all the others, and prepared net Tor herself The
amount Of care and ioreihought Necessary 10 sccoN-
psh this task thoroughly and well can only be ma-
cned Ly tbote who have had the fortune 10 BE- con-
necied with the Quartermasi.rs or Comm.ssary's
dep rtmeni in such q time. To ri mp the transports
with proper berths 10 attend 10 the wholesome ven
tation Of the same, and finally 10 embark tls lL0u-
sands OF troops which was accomplished without
single accident. required the most unremitting carc
and a,terton on the part Of the officers who had the
matter in charge.
venture 10 SAY that never in the service Of the
United States have men worked harder, more intel
igenily, or more necessarily than the Quariermas,er,
Comnissaries, and their assstants and AL the other
officers in charge OF the fitting Of this feet have
done for the rasi month. The amount Of labor ac-
complshed is aluoti incredible but Il is u last fn-
isbed. though the health Of some Of the overworked
officers bas suffered severely, and more than Of
them is now too i'll 10 leave his bed.
Though We suppose we stan tomorrow Che 18th,
our exact destination is still matter Of ueverceas
ing speculation. Every inlet, and bay, and barbor,
from Yorktown 10 Galveston has been discussed and
the discussion never ceases From every knot OF
takers, as you chance to approach, you hear the
same words always, Norfolk" "Charleston,"
Savannah "New-Orlesus" showing that the
thoughts Of all turn in the same direction snd select
the same subject for speculation. But after all, the
current OF talk always in a circle, and no new
points are ever reached, but when the coaaline is
thoroughly talked over from Norfolk 10 New-Oreans,
the wave Of words flows back again 10 Norfolk, and
the whole coast-line is again talked over, inch by
inch. Conjecture lie thoroughly exhausted, and We
ali await eagerly the moment Of departure.
The harbor here was a ine sight last evening. IL
one hundred or more yerses, all lighted up gave the
wide bay the romantic appearance Of bearing on ne
broad bosom floating city. The scanty population
Of the village, consisting OF eleven ladies, and
about two thousand men TO each Of the other sex.
seemed to turn out in grand body TO see the IN
wonted sight. In harbor, where half dozen ves-
sells at once il enough to create ensation the peO
pie may be well excused for exhaus;ing their umost
admiration and wonder upon a feet Of hundred
slips
We, the feet, are not without our disnppoint-
menrs. We had hoped 10 take on board at this
fortress at least six hundred contrabands, whose
duty il should be hereafter 10 WELD the shovel and
10 a...L .a.Lnr Lnt.ns he nNl-au.... Of