The New York herald., 1862-02-02
REBEL sPECULATIONS ABOUT THE EXPE.
DITION.

from the Newbsru IN. CO. Progress, Jan. 27.l
Three months ago IL was announced in the Northern
papers that another expedition would follow that which
had Just sailed for Port Royal and would be under tho
command of General Burnside. This fleet is at last in
our waters and public expectation Is strained to trace
its operations and TO SEQ what II will accomplish.
The Burnside Is the fourth expedition which the YAM
KEGS have fitted out to mako demonstrations ON different
expedition captured the Haeras sand banks the second
obtained possession of Port Royal and tho third effected
lodgmen Ship Island barren islet in the Missssip
pi sound remarkable for whito sand and crocodies Il
remains to be what the fourth expedition will
complish.
feet have been for weeks topic Of busy spec ulaion
has hung coast like an appartion, and has been
reported first at point and then ut another, until the
public mind has been excited and mudded about II TO
degree that almost amusing. The last report was that
It had sone to Davy Jones locker when an excited in
10 knot of anxious patriots, exclaimed "my gracious
orten Davis to have defended that pint He supposed
the locality to be vulnerable point Of North Carolina
The fact s, there s occasion for alarm and tsensa
tions and good to believe that the fourth
expedition Of the Yankees will meet with more sue
cess than it's predecessors Should the enomy attempt
10 capture Ncwbern and push forward to Raleigh which
Is more than one hundred miles distant they would put
themselves in the most fatal situation possble by sd
yapcing into the interior Of hostile country where twice
their number could be congregatod almost In day.
body to oppose them, but 10 cut of their retreat.
Another speculation indicates Roanoke Island az the
point at which attack Is Immediately expected This
island is situated In the channel between Pamco
and Abemarle Sounds, and II must be captured by the
enemy before they can advance their expedition into
Albemarle Sound The fortincations on the island
and ought by this time to be able oresst
q formidable assault. Should tue Yankees succeed IN
capturing Roanoke Island they would thcn have free ac
cess 10 Abemarie Sound and number OF little villages
on its borders as well the Chowan river, which,
emptying into the SOUND would be at their mercy This,
however would be the extent OF the harm they could
nict unless they should propose the wild exploit Of at
tempting by land march through swamps without ar
tcry and with supplies and retreat alike cut on to
outnank General Huger, cooperating with the "On 10
Rchmondn movement OF Mcclellan In front.
II Ia said that there two or three passages whore
eunboats might run within few miles Of Portsmouth,
and one-the Albemare Cansl--whers they could, II
obstruct,ons we're thrown In their way through 10
Norfolk OF course however. II would be very little
trouble 10 make these passages that they could be
nayipated by any description Of Yankee craft.
From the same paper, Jan. ISL
Nothing would afford US more pleasure at this partcu.
lar time than be able to give strictly correct account
OF the strength and condition Of the Burnside expedition
we doubted some days ago whether there really had
ever such thing in existence and began to think
II was all Yankee lie; but recently have be.
come convinced that there such thing and that what
IL left of II 10 actually at Hatteras.
The country Is situated about Hatterns that II IL
difficult 10 get cosc enough TO the enemy to take sasfac.
tory observations without being observed. We saw,
however, and conycgso4 VIII gentleman yesterday
direct rrou Portsmouth. iayr lci that place Saturday
AID arrived h rc sd 20 u, who went to ocracokc