Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1862-11-12

FEDERAL NAvY.-Whdt are hare 10 Expect.
The present lull in military operations, is the
calm before the hurricane. The dull roar OF
its advent may be heard in the distance. With
the rise of the western waters it will be unou
us in its fury. We will be called upon to do
and suffer much before the summer heats
arise. Let us grid for the contest, and Sc.
our houses in order. Let us prepare our souIs
Tor disasters, for some will SUI ely happen. Let
us not be like ostriches who hide their bo.d
In the sand, and think the hunters viii, -. .,
them untouched. Let US look it in the face
and dare it like men.
An extract from the Chiccgo Tribune fur
ishes us with the following statistics. taken
from the Navy Register of Sept. LIST;
1.-The aggregate number of vessels now in
the naval service of the U. S. is 1856. OF this
number no less than 81 are iron clads, IA of
which are adoat and SO building at New
York, Jersy City, Boston, Philadelphia, Ports
mouth, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburp.
Brownsville, Chester and Wilmington.
I'VE have ii rams, 5 steam "a screw sloops,
"a screw stea~ers, an0 80 side wheel steam
ers; not to mention multitude of small steam
ers, ferry boats, ships of the line and old
~"6 AiiSotCss
Of the IA iron clads, 10 were then, (Sept.
lstl, in actual service upon the Western wa.
tiers, to wit: The Benton, Baron de Kab. Cairo,
Cincinnati, Carondolet, Essex, Louisville.
Lexington, Mound City, and Pittsburg, which
with other vessels made up the Western io-
tllla consisting of 80 vessels of war. Four
teen other iron clad vessels were in process of
construction at different Western yards, all of
which were expected to be ready by tho COM
ing spring.
When we reflect that this immense arma
ment OF a iron clad vessels is only part and
parcel of their naval force, we can form some
idea of the magnitude of their designs. Ever,
river Will be attempted, and wherever they 90
devastation and destruction will attend their
course.
To meet this, we have only batteries and
our army. We hope much from the efficient
management of them. Gunboats can be resist.
ed, as was nobly illustrated at Forts Henry
and Donaldson; at Forts Jackson and Gibson;
on the Potomac, and grandly at vicksburg. In
deed, if well protected against land attacks,
Our lauu batteries VIII De almost certain to
hold our smaller rivers, as the passage Of iron
clad vessels would be fruitless to the enemy
without their transports. Gunboats cannot
carry soldiers and if our planters are careful
in time, TO remove their negroes from the riv-
ers, the effect of gunboat operations cannot be
permanently injurious,
Nevertheless, it is not to be expected that
we will escape the ordinary fortunes of war.
We will loose many places which We expect to
hold, and suffer from the ravages of TIA. enc
my to terrible extent. We had better be
prepared in soul for an exhibition of tn at
highest courage, which will preserve our spir-
IS elastic, and our hopes firm in the milst of
difficulties which overwhelm the weaker heart
ed. Liberty were worthless, if bought with =
out sacrifice. We have only to resist with all
orr means, and sooner or later the tide will be
turned. If we are successful at every point
it will not hurt US to have exercised this fore
cast of evil. If we meet with disasters, our
minds will be prepared, and our energies ready
to rebound with the first opportunity.