Newbern weekly progress., 1862-01-28
Tie burnside Expedition.


lowing extract from the New York Times, OF
the Gath inst, which is decidedly one Of the
most foolish productions that We rccolect ever
to have seen spread upon newspaper. One
of three things is certain /: the editor either
wrote the article to stimulate the dropping
hearts of bis people, in which case he presumed
largely upon their ignorance; or he intended
bv it to divert our attention from the true
point of attack or he is a consumate fool him
self The extract runs thus:
The secret of General Burnside's destination
has been we'll kept. Even the rebels who are
usually better informed than ourselves, seem
to have been wholly at fault in regard to it
They certainly speak Of being prepared at eve
rv interieF point for its reception. From such
sneech, however, liberal discount must be in
dulge7 for bEaggadocio, and OF the remainder
little account need be made, in view OF the
time and facilities enjoyed for defence. There
is this about the various ports and hafbOrs
within the waters of Albemarle and Pamlico;
they cannot avail themselves OF the fortifca-
a;ons erected by the National Government for
foreign enemies to shut out national eXpe-
diton.
The several national forts for the defence Of
the upper North Carolina coast were Fortunate
ly placed upon that outer sand barrier, which,
destruction of Fort Morgan at Ocracoke, has
fallen into our hands.
Left to their own resources, the rebels may
have erected temporary works here ana there
At the mouths of the several estuerieS dischar-
eing into the sounds; but we have no reason
to believe any of them to be formidable IN
character, or more difficult to silence than
those which protected Port Royal. The work
ofGen Burnsde's ample force is therefore free
from serious obstacls. 1t has only to effect
landing at points as yet unknown to the rebels,
AID proceed without material reslstance-pos-
siblywith the aid OF the loyal population OF the
StateA-to the execution Of its important plans.
OF the nature of these plans We may form
an idea from an inspection of the map. 1t is,
we cannat doubt, the destruction in the first
instance of the railroads between Richmond and
theSouths These may be reached either from
Pamlico or Albemarle; but gather, from
the dispatch forwarded fTelB Godsboro, that
the inland movement will be made from Pam
leo, as the force appeared 10 be musterln2
there. anu threatening an attack upon New
bern.
The Importance OF making that place start
inc point was pointed out in these column 5
some time ago. Situated upon the river Neuse
Newbern is connected by the Atianhc ano
North Carolina railroad with Gnldsboro' and
Raleigh, the distance to the former point being
about ffty-six and to the latter hundred
practicable communication with both points. -
Ships may ascend it for some distance above
Newbern while there is no doubt the smaller
gunboats, drawing after them the canal boats
Which figure among the somewhat unusual c
ements OF the Burnside fotil!a, can make tileii
way to landing on the river within SIX miles
of Raleigh itself
It may, therefore, be the plan to attempt tc
ascend toe river. At Go.@shoro', the direc'
Southern route by way CT Wilmington could
be cut of: st Raleigh, tie inland or Char
iotte line could be destroyed aod the nationa
flag set mp. where the loyal population Of Yves
tern North Carolina would unQucStlonably
flock eagerly to its shelter and defence.
such be the programme of the expedition, it Is
difficult al this distance to understand why i
should not perfectly succeed; why, indeed, /
should not have already succeeded
Of the other labors marked out Tor Genera
Burnside it is premature to speak. He will
no doubt, make Roanoke Island q depot anI
centre of operations from which he may strike
ar viii in the direction of \ .rfolk and Weldon
1t is vsFy sure that his presence in those wa
tiers is victory in itself 1t weakens tn
enemy and destroys his morale, By threatening
him at the weakest point