Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-06

The great naval expedition which is to cap
ture the coast towEs OF the South, bring aid and
comfort 70 It's loyal mhabitanfs md restore the
Union. has sailed, is sailing, or is about TO sail
rom Fortress Monroe. Of is magnitude, 50
long as-it was undetermined kept a profound
secret, the public is now fully apprised. OF its
destination. If reports are TO be believed, nobody
but the Administration and the rebels are in
formed. From the character of its equipments,
it IS evidently Intended 20 make descents upon
the coast, and TO operate upon the land as wella rs
upon the seas and harbors adjacent; and great
expectations are entertained OF the effects il is
destined to produce.
Looking at the great expedition in the
light of the impression which its material
leaves upon the memory, it is a huge collection
of big ships and little ships, ships of war and
ships Of transport, steamers and sailing vessels.
propellers, ferry boats, tugs aud surf boats,
wheelbarrows, ammunition. forage, provisions
and humanity. The first idea is that the thing
is oyerdone-that the plan was bigger than ne
cessary. and too big 70 be fairly and consistently
executed. This idea is confirmed by the delay
and consequent loss of precious time that is now
occurring. The October and November storms
of Cape Hatteras are formidable even to such
ships as the Great Republic. The keys OF Flori-
da are dangerous even in less tempestuous sea
sons; and how a crowd Of Brooklyn ferry boats
are to live in these seas, when the winds of win
ter are let loose, is a question that nothing but
the trial can determine.
We may be mistaken; but to US this thing looks
like an immense folly. There may be no mis-
fortune in it: but there are so many of the ele-
ments of misfortune apparent, that we cannot be
enthusiastic. 1t has, il reports are reliable, be
gun with disaster. It's ~counSels are already dis
closed to the enemy, although they are a secret
from the commander of the expedition. Sailors
are said to be superstitious, and, perhaps. in mat
tiers of the sea a little sailor superstition is allow
able. In a voyage, a bad beginning is ominous.
The beginning of the great naval expedition looks
unhappy; let us hope that there is skill and cour-
age, and vigor enough in its commander and of
fcers to overcome the malignant omens, and Sc
cure a fortunate result.
What the Sout will do DO meet the power of
the great expedition, it is impossible to conjec-
ture. it has not armies enough to defend every
approachable place along so vast a length OF sea-
coast, and probably will not make the attempt.
Judging from the character Of Mr.. Lincoln we
are inclined to think that his paramount idea is
to reconquer the forts and take possession of the
real estate of the United StateS--its arSenals,
custom houses and court houses; and there is
reason to suppose that to tlis business the force
of the expedition will be directed. Our ships of
war. if they are lucky enough, will blaze away
ut fortress and fertification: and as they will, in
most cases, be but partially manned, will take
some of them; and then, perhaps, formally, the
Union will be restored, according to the prophet
ic Seward. and our troubles will be over.-CiRciR-
natl Press.