New-York daily tribune., 1861-12-31

IA destined TO 20 up IL the direct way to Richmohu
an idea favored as he supposes, by the fact that our
navy have lately buoyed out the channel Tor some
distance M. They who have adopted the fayorte
theory that the Potomac will besr ON its waters the
formidable naval and land force, do not allow their
alarm TO diniuish. Meanwhile, the rebels of Norfolk
are trembling for their fate, lest the expedition Is
doom them to attack and capture. The rebels on all
three of tle,s routes have learned what every body
el,e has that their lard batteries formidable us they
may be- do not amount to perfect defenses but gener
ally are of no formidable account. In every instance
where our navy has attacked them they have been
taken with but small loss on our side. The rebels
dread the storm of iron hail which our ships are
capable OF pouring into their works, making them
untenable even by the stoutest hearts. Every days
experience on the Potomac teaches tbem as 1t assures
us that shore batteries though they may be lengther-
ed out for miles, may be run past with but compara-
lively small risk. The experience which the events
of tie war are furnishing in this respect Is regarded
as most valuable by tbe navy, for whom sahd Dat
teries have come TO have greatly diminished triofS'
Theee lessons pslpable 10 Tie rebels as 10 u5.
Hence we see them making bridges aud clearing the
way for escape as at Craney Island, from w!a were
but few weeks since regarded their safe reliance
and siropgLods.
Ia sit no the James River, the York, the Potomac 2
Or is Norfolk to TO stormed Or, after all. is the
destination of the expedition--by all odds the most
formidable in effective elements of any that han yet
been fitted out-sone other quarter rot yet sug'
eestedl Gen. Burnside does not hurry OF the ex-
pense Of strength. lie and Commodore Gcdsbo-
rough are evidently sure of iheir game. The Com
modole does not suffer Lins'f to be worried. nu-
merous as sre he peIrlexiiies, but seems TO see
clearly through the business. Busy 10 placing and
distributing the big guns, he regards them with a
regular fglting mans interest as the word and ire
doctrine suited for the times. seniimeSt that every
man will echo who does not think that il is best TO
conduct the war that nobody shall lie hurt. |
believe that neither the Flag officer nor Gen. Buru-
side belongs 70 that school Of oombatants. do not
believe that either of them was ever suspected Of
the purpose Of returning home byand.by, and IN the
strength Of their wouncess exploi's running for
Congress or some other office. Bot there are some
perhaps good many--who are not entirely free
from this taint. aud "that's what's the matter"
| Since the chasiisement they received week ago
at Newmarket Bridge the Rebels have kept out OF
the way, and have rot shown themseves. Our
troops are in the best of spirits, and am satisfied
TINT rs general thing they behave well in the face
Of On enemy
To relieve the anxiety Of the fiends of prisoners
in the South, and az an answer to the letters which
find their way into prints representing that the cap
tiyes are suffering from the want of clothing will
state that our Government Las made ample provision
of clothing of every description for them, which is
being forwarded as rapidly as possible. Every
Thursday from fifty to ssventv-6ve cases, quito q
boat-load, go to Norfolk. From thence, through
General Huger, it lie distributed as direc'ed by ex-
press. A vast quantity has already been forwarded,
and it will not be long before all our men in tie
South are clothed better than they who hold them in
captivity. Large quantities of private donations
and considerable sums Of money are forwarded
every week. Rebel es he is, we have to thank Gen
eral Huger for many kindnesses in this matter. A
man like General Winder, who plays Turk at Rich
mond, could have done much to thwart the benefi-
cent purpose Of the Government.