New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-09
TEE EXPEDITION TO SOUTH CAR
OIlNA.


OLINA.
The fleet of the Southern Expedition, or, at
least, q portion Of it, has reached its destlna-
tion nt Port Royal entrance on the coast oil
South Carolina. This entrance is an estuary
into which empties Broad River, on whicn
Beaufort is situated about l6 miles from the
sea. Beaufort is one of the olde't towns oi
South Carolina, and is rather noted as the
residence of some Of the Oldest and wealtblest
families OF State that prides itself on families
old and wealthy. To be approached and
threatened by q "Yankec' fleet. with whole
careoes Of "mud.tills" and "greasy mechanics"
is an indignty that must be considered at the
South even more outrageous than the invasion
of the sacred soil"
The waters of that locality, nevertheless, the
estuary Of Port Royal, and the rivers empty
ing into it, are peculiarly well fitted as haven
for hostile feet. 1t is broad and deep, and
the best harbor on that coast. To take Beau
fort, which can be approached with 20 feet Of
water, will be an achievement that must be
considered q heavy blow to the rebellion, not
only because Beaufort is in itself place ei
local importance, aud inhabited BY locally I'M
portant people, but because its possession Will
be a good base for future operations. An
army once established there, and protected by
a feet in the neigbbOriug waters, can threaten
at will both Savannah, about thirty-hSe miles
south of il, aud Charleston, about hity
NV ;nta aI iV n
tenn Of small rivers, aud along the coast are the
famous Sea Islands where cotton OF the longest
staple is grown. A few miles northwest OF
Beaufort runs the Savannah and Charleston
Railroad, the possession Of which commands
the intercourse between the two places. AS a
strategic point, it is evidently one of great I'M
portance. and as it's occupation by the Union
forces will be a signal triumph to the Union
cause, disheartening TO its enemies, and en-
courapinR TO it's friends throughout South Caro-
lima and Georgia, so, for that very reason, VIII
the repulse of the expedition at that point be
of the last importance to the in'urgent Gen.
erals.
That such was the destination OF the great
expedition was. if not positively known proba-
bly, apprebended by the rebels. The feet was
pearly. if not quite two months in fitting out,
and if its aim was not certainly made known
10 Mr. JEFF. Davis through the well-organized
body Of spies that, ns We have bad so many
reasons for believing, be mointeins In wash.
ipetou and the principal Northern cities,
enough, at least. may baye been nscertained to
form a probable conjecture as to its point Of
attack. We may safely presume this TO be The
fact, and that therefore the rebels will not be
taken by surprise and unprepared for IN in-
vasion. There is Of Beaufort q battery which,
though it had fallen into disuse, could, no
doubt, in short time be put in
a condition Of defense. If txO or three weeks
warning only have been given TO the Confeder-
crates they could, as they evidently have, in
that time erect earshworks which may give
some trouble to an approaching fleet. The
landing OF troops even under the fire OF ships
is not an easy matter in the presence of an
opposing force. 1t is not surprising, therefore,
that the expedition should meet with resistance
at the outset. II is no more than was to be
expected. and we need not therefore be dis-
couraged that the first intelligence we receive
is news Of fighting. But the feet, aud the
army it carries, are well-appointed they are
commanded by brave and skillful men; and let
us hope, therefore, that whatever preparation
may have been made to receive them, they
will at length make good landing, ii
they have not already, and begin cam
paign in the heart of the enemy's coun.
try. A largo force once firmly fixed on land,
with an open sea and formidable feet be-
hind it, will attract 10 its standard the
Union men of that region-both black and
whte-open a port for the shipment of cotton,
if that thall be deemed desirable, and be ready
for future operations that must have an import
ant bearing upon the movements of the armies
in Virginia. Thus, should tho expedition be
successful, it will be glorious termination to
the Summer campaign. aud an encouraging
opening of Winter movements in the South.
A we-knOwn wool house of Liverpool says