New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-20
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Tho Army and Navy on the Way 10
RirhmOnd.

From Oar Special Correspondent
FORTRESS MoERoE, OLD Poisr CoxPoEr, May u, iSA
viii Richmond be evacuated by the Rebels IL
is probable that few people ever entertained this
question, or have thought that there was any reason
for asking it. STILL the evacuation Of the Rebel Cap
ital should be less matter of surprise than was the
abandonment of Norfolk. That the Rebels have a
fixed, not to say bold, policy, to which they will
strictly adhere there is no doubt. 1t is to abandon
the sea-coast and those points reached by our gun
boats snd withdraw to the Interior where our army,
If il follow, Will be compelled to transport supplies
over difficult routes and remote from its base. 1t
WAS 10 Uniformity with this policy that Norfolk was
abandoned; and to say the least the evacuation Of
Richmond is an open question, and will depend on
the movements of guuboats TO the headwaters OF
James River. To prevent their approach, the river
has been obstructed with piles and other means
twelve miles below Richmond. Should the Monitor
and Galepa succeed in forcing these distractions fol-
lowed as they would be by others, they would ap-
proach within thellng distance. In such an event,
The city will be evacuated. The gunboats are, there
fore working out the problem on which important
esalts depend. Meantime We need not be surprised
should the Army OF the Potomac rest unless Gen.
Nj Celan prefers 10 fight )hnston, wherever he can
be found to letting him get of by abandoning Rich
mond: in other words whether there is battle coon,
NAV be said To depend very much on whether Gen.
Mcclellan prefers to have Richmond without one,
and at the expense Of allowing Johnston TO get
away 10 improving any chance TO meet the enemy,
IN the belief that he win both the city and vic
tory.
Ar an important part of the programme, the Sus-
quehanna aud several other frst-class naval ves-
sols leit a day-break this morning, snd steamed up
the James River with the view Of destroying the
batteries, and freeing the navigation OF the river
from all distractions of this character ard opening
the route to transports and vessels Of any kind.
Flag Officer Goldsborough commands the expedition
in person the Susqnehanna, and be expects 10 do
tue work erecually, and in the shortest time posi-
bic, which, in all probability, will be the duration
of the halt Of the army, though it may be within
the policy OF Gen. Mcclellan TO aniuse the enemy 1T
Bottom Bridge, meantime.
The full rank of Msjor-Geueral has been conferred
by President Lincoln Gen. WOOL dating from the
lth instant, the day OF the surrender OF Norfolk.
The nomination was conferred by the Senate with
out going through the usual FORMS and unanimously,
under susreIlsion OF the rules. The manner OF
comforting the rank, as well as the letter OF Secre
tary Stanton, were very fiattering.
Bv IN order of Gen. Wool, Capt Tsllmadge has
been made Chief Quarternaster OF the Department
OF Virginia, including Norfolk and the district
Gently occupied by the troops, and hereafter to be
acquired 10 the limits of the Department.
ihis morning the Army Of the Potomac had not
moved from White House, or Cumberland, but still
rested where II arrived three days ago. IL was ru-
mored that the Rebels had burn. Bottom Bridge, and
would make @ stand there. Gen. Mcclellan WAS
making every necessary preparation, and siege guns
were going up from Yorktown. II was not expected
ANYTHING would be done for some time.
This morning negro, two days from Richmond,
came 10 West Point and thence by boat to this place.
He Gays that when he left our gdnboats at the
distractions within ten or twelve miles of the city,
and their firing could be distinctly heard. Great
excitement prevailed and many were leaving The
Rebels were throwing up works ten miles this side
of the city, where, it was understood, stand would
be made