New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-21

n CoaIing stntion--The Refugee Slaves
-Me.srs. Mason and siideii-The En-
gagemenf a, Port ROyai-The Maneu-
yering of the Wabash.
Special Correspondence Of The n. l. Tribune; - .,
koKTREss MONROE. Old Point Comfort, Nov H. lS'l-
The Rebels are strengthening their main battery
on Sewall's Point. PIo6ting by their experience
"a. Hs,teras and Port Royal, in addition to mounting
more guns, they will, no doubt at once proceed to
construct bomb-proof projections for the men at the
vuns. Before Major Anderson left Fort Moultrie,
where the puos were en- Jorbete, he had progressed
Ssonsiderajie in tres additions to the work as Orgi-
naIly constructed. The Rebels, on gaining posses
sion Of the fort, completed anu prohted by them
during the siege OF Fort Sumter AT ha2eras there
were ingeniousy constructed traverses, which pro-
tected the guns on the sides, and no doubt good
many lives. But there was no covering or other
protection i; is to be presumed that the Rebels
will lose no time in making the improvements which
bought experience has taught themare 50 neces
sary. But at least they can hope only for partial
success in this undertaking. The introduction of
guns Of the heaviest ealiber into the navy, and the
murderously accurate manner in which they are
served generally, will render it impossible to con-
struct anything approaching to a perfect defense.
Those at Fort Moultrie made of barrels of sand,
dashed by iron bands, the vacant spaces filled with
sand firmly pounded in. 1t will be remembered
thai Fort Sumter fred bit few Shells in consequence
of the absence of fuses and believe that the ex-
1emporized classmates witbstood the solid shot Of
Sumter.
Since the capture of Port Royal, guns have been
brought down from Norfolk to Sewals Point, and
An increased activity is plainly dscernible.
Two side-wheel steamers and propeller Of light
draft arrived yesterday, with orders to report TO
Commodore Goldsborough. They had 10 guns, but
presume they viii be supplied from the resources
Of The Navy at this station, which has suddenly
come 10 be among tie most important in the country.
a naval maehine-shop is in course Of construction,
nnder Capt Davids, which viii prove great con-
yenience. Probably something Of the Scrt will fol-
low the occupation of Port Royal, which will Ike
wise become a coalDg station. Up TO the present
time ships have been compelled TO run the whole
line Of the coast 10 Hampton Roads, so that il If
calculated that at least ship belonging TO the
Charleston station has been absent all the time for
coal. TIE same is true of other stations. When it
was decided 10 hold llatteras, its importance as a
coaling station was deemed an important consdera-
lion in the case urged strongly by Commodore
Stringbam. But, with pretty much everything else
connected with Hatteras, that appears TO have been
lost sight Of.
Since The arrival OF the large number of negroes
two weeks ago-upwards OF one hundred in three
dsys-few have come in, though extensive prepare
tons making among the negroes to follow those
who bad gone before them. This is owing, probably,
10 the execution Of the purpose among slave owners
10 destroy the boats accessible 10 the negroes along
the river and inets OF the Chesapeake its tributaries
and James River. Bot they will come. The de-
struction of them may interpose obstacles and delay
their departure; but The negro will find means 10
make bis escape for if he has talent for anything
is for running away. 1t must be confessed that he
could not have a much stronger motive than the pur-
rose which is said 10 exist in Virginia to sell the
negroes TO the Souths purpose arising from the
eessity on the part ofthe owners to raise the wind
and the growing insecurity CT that description of
property. Reckoning negroes by the former
tariff of slaves, General Wool must now have
several millions Of this kind of property.
Az yet have not heard Of any proclamations
addresses other public declarations in this depart
ment on the subject The practice is simple, straight
forward, and quite sufficient for reasonable men.