New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-28
EMBARKATiON OF TROOPS.
| SLIGHT TOUCH OF SMALLPOX
General Desire to ATTACK Charleston
THE TROOPS ON BOARD.
The Departure from Hampton Roads.


ming that our great strength in this war is on the sea
we having powerful navy and the Rebels none
and tha, by making descens in force on the exposed
Southern seaboard We could distract the Rebel
armies and infct the most serious injury on the
enemy nothing was done in this direction until the
capture of Ha,teras electrified the loyal North.
Previous to tbs exploit the Navy had scarcely dis
tipgushed itsef at all. On the contrary, 1t had SUI
fered several pIivateers TO escape to the high sea,
commit piracies along our coasts, aud safely their
prizes into unguarded ports in North Carolina,
Florida, South Carolina and Georgia While the
audacious exploits Of the Sumter and JET. Davis
spread CONSERVATION in commercial circles, and
the rates of marine insurance ruled very high, our
cruisers, whose duty il was to PIT an inssn aneous
stop to these piracies sailed bewldefed, from one
degree and parallel TO another, without finding the
culprits. Even now the Sumter is supposed TO DO
pursuing its mission in unknown parts without let
or hindrance, while half dozen men-otwar are
looking in vain for her where she is not ard per,
haps never will be. 1t y not easy to say On whom
the blame for this state of things shuld rest but 1t s
cheering TO know the navy is now about under
take IL legitimate share OF the work ofPuttnS down
the great rebellion.
With whom tie plan of this great expedition origi-
mated is not known, but we have heard it iniuisied
that was proposed by Mr. Fox, Assistant Secretary
OF the Navy, 10 the Cabinet after consultation Win
distinguished officers of tie Navy The original con-
sderation O. tho subject oaunot date further back
than the LIST of August that when we cons Ter the
magnitude of the expedition, and the innunerable
details which were 10 be attended to, the hct that
the fleet weighed anchor from Fortress Monoe on
the 9TH Of October, must be regarded as tie most
wonderful instance of naval and military preparation
of this century. The plans once proposed were de-
bated altered and mainrcd al Washington, nd the
military portion Of the undertaking placed in charge
OF Brig. Gen. Sherman who at once came ~ this
city and commenced tie necessary preparations
| II was the merest piece of good fortune n the
world that the Iateras affair did not result disas-
trously TO us; for By the Ddiocrect pronulgat'n OF
the plans OF Government-in part, perhaps, though
the violated confidence Of politicians partly though
the ndiscretion Of reporters and correspondents and
largely through the warnings from Secession pies
at the North-,he Rebels were advised Of the
proposed attack, and partially prepared TO meet
il. II there had been further delay Of a angle
manned by several regiments, ard an abundaIre Of
lO-inch guns would have been mounted. In that
event, we could never have taken them, unless by
some miracle. Our feet had not yet reduced the
forts before largo retuiorcements Of Rebel trmps
approached, with the view Of landing, but, fo'tu-
natey their leaders thought the game too despeie,
and retired forcing victory upon US.
In this new affair every precaution taken by
Government TO insure secrecy. The naval and nili-
ary officers in command OF the expedition were for
hidden to divulge any OF their plans purposes and
this binding obligation wa enforced upon each OF the
subordinates connected with the expedition TO whom
any part Of the secret had been confded. so well
were the inuncons to them obeyed that it is doubt
full if even Gen. Mcclellan was acquainted with the
proposed destination of the fleet; and from all that
we can learn we Judge that, beside the Cabinet the
only persons who in full possession OF the secIet
were Commodore Dupont, Gen. Sherman, and the
officers highest in command under each. Orders
were issued from Washington that allusion what
ever 10 the expedition, surmises as to it's destination,
or information TO It's magnitude should be sent
the wires 10 the newspapers and an Injunction from
Gen Mcclellan was sent to the associated press 10
refrain from any mention OF the expedition. The
necessity for THE caution must be apparent,
for if the Rebels were advised OF the strength
and destination OF the fleet, il would be only
cary for them 10 concentrate troops in force at the
menaced point, and give soldiers bloody re-
ception Notwithstanding this, there have not been
wanting editors in this city, and elsewhere, who,
either through desire 10 aid the Rebels OF crimi-
nal anxiety to feed the public with news in advance
of other journals were willing TO violate the hrst
dictates of patriotism by publishing the names OF
vessels chartered, the regiments detailed to Gen.
Shcrmans command, the fighting strength Of the
frigaies and eunboats and other particulars which
should have been kept sscredly TO themselves. From
the very first TnE TRIBUNE has been in possession
OF all that could be learned by the personal investi-
cations of its reporters in this city, Washington, and
Fortress Monroe, in respect 10 this very important
naval movement, but il Las not advised the public
until the present time, when the limits OF Its cblig-
ton of secrecy have arrived. Too much conmenda-
ton can hardly be given to Commodore Dupont,
Gen. sherman, Commander Davis, Capt Saxton,
and the Other officers in charge for the secrecy with
which their preparations have been made through
ont. and the zeal and conscientious Dispatch which
they have SHOWN. Although 80 powerful ieet was
never before fitted ont and sent 10 Sea within IN
equally brief period, every detail, as we before Oh
served, has been 30 carefully attended to that the
success of the expedition would seem to be fore
gone conclusion.
The land forces Of the expedition are under
command of Brigadier-Gen. THos. W. shEh-
MAN, a brave and experienced officer OF the
United SGtes Army, with whose gallant conduct
when insoommand Of the fsmons "Shorman :
Battery" a, Bull Ran the public are well nc
quainied, and for which lie was promoted nom a
coonelcy TO bis present rank. Gen. Sherman gricu-
ated at West Point in 1882, with distinction. In
S36he wasSecond Lieutenant in the 81 Artillery, and