The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-06
T RIPPLE SHEET,
New York, Wednesday, November 6, 1861.
THE SITUATION.


All doubt as to the safety of the great naval ex-
petition is set at rest by the intelligence received
here yesterday from Fortress Monroe that the
whole squadron, with the exception oftwo or three
small vessels which had been scattered by the
gale, and two Of which, the Bevidere and the Flo
rida, had put back to Hampton Roads, had sailed
into Bulls Bay, twenty-five miles north Of Charles
ton, s. c., on Saturday night in good order. This
inteihgence reaches us by the steamer
Monticello, one Of the bockading squadron, which
passed them on her way from Savannah to For.
tress Monroe. The opinion OF her officers was that
the force would land at Bulls Bay on Sunday morn
ing. The captain Of the Florida reports that when
he was compelled to leave the feet, owing to some
damage to his machinery, the war vessels were
leading on steadily, and he could distinctly hear
the drums beating on board.
1t is probable that the object of the feet in
entering Bulls Bay may have been to obtain
safe place Of rendezvous as a base of operations
Tor some further movement, as there is a conve-
nient anchorage of twenty-five feet deep inside,
and depth of water at high tide the bar at the
entrance of fully eighteen feet-sunicient for
the passage of the squadron. But it is
not at all unlikely that q portion of
the expedition may remain there, and the
rest make landing further south, probably at
Port Royal, fifty miles below Charleston-thus
planting an armed force on both tanks of that
city. Thus located, and safely intrenched, rein
forcements may easily swell the twenty thousand
men in the present expedition to forty Or fifty
thousand, and more necessary. The effect of
such an army on the enemys seaboard, with the
prospect of opening the ports to the shipment
Of cotton by the Union men of South Carolina
and Georgia, will be wholesome step towards re-
storing the disafected to loyalty and breaking the
force of the rebellion.
The news from Western Virginia is most salts.
factory. The War Department received news yes-
terday confirming the statement of the repulse Of
General Floyd by General Rosecrans at Gauley
Bridge, Friday. The latest dispatches
stated that the hrigades Of Generals Benham
and Schcnck had got to the rear of Floyd on the
road, and that the capture Of his entire force
said to he seven thousand strong-was hourly
expected.
Reports reached Fortress Monroe on Monday
that number Of the rebel troops have been with.
drawn from Big Bethel, Yorktown and the neigh
borho1d OF Norfolk. II was mentioned in the
N.,f ,lf n,. .-J. A.
resigned, and dispatches from Richmond state that
ruinor to the same effect was prevalent there
The rebel batteries ON the Lower Potomac were
silent all day Saturday and Sunday. Not gun
was fred from Shipping Point, Aqua creek or
Evansport. IL is said that the government intends
10 open the river this week by driving the rebels
from their batteries
No pckcts Of the rebels have appeared for the
past ten days opposite Washington. They have
been ascertained, however, by the pickets of Gen.
Smiths division in the direction of Fairfax Court
House, to have advanced within mile and half
II Vienna. considerable body of them occupy
Fairfax, and many of them were moving towards
teesburg.
scout, just returned from Virginia, states that
Beauregards army lying between Fairfax and
Centrevile is 100000 strong, with 200 pieces If ar.
tllery, the guns being indiiferently manned and
the men undisciplined and in bad Condition No.
soldiers are said to be disprited, and FREQUENT d.
.ertions are taking place.
1t would appear from the military movements
going on in Washington since General Mcclellan
assumed the supreme command that a dccis;,o
battle is in contemplation, and mar come oil within
avery few days.
We publish to-day story from the Richmond
Dronetnef of the 4tA inst. Of battle fought on tho
18th ult. between uls rebel steamer Curlow and
hc Union batteries and two or three United States
gsfpers, ~ Eattoras Inlet bat it does not appear