New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-18
THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION
PROBABLE ATTACK ON WEWBERN
FIRING HEARD IN THAT DIRECTION
Rebsl Activity on the James River
From Our srecisi COrrespcnden'.

From Our scecisi Correspenaen,.
FORTRESS M0sEos. OLD rorsI CossosT.
The United States steam transport Suwanee, from
Hatterss, arrived this morning She brings nothing
important, though when she left, intelligence from
the feet and the army was momentarily expected.
presume it will be in no sense violation Of The
order OF DR. Secretary Stanton to say that the scene
Of operations concerning which news is expected
IL Newbern and vicinity, for which point the joint
expedition left Roanoke early Monday last, and
which, il was expected, would be reached by
Wednesday and tho contemplated blow struck by
Thursday OF Friday at the furthest. Heavy firing
was heard in that direction Thursday evening
Reconnaissance bad previously been made Of the
quarter TO be visited. These being PAST events,
refer to them accordingly.
A schooner from Hstteras last evening reports
having 'oeu between Oregon Inlet and Cape Henry,
whs. appeared TO be side-wheel steamer ashore,
and barrels aud other debrts drifting ont To SEA,
among tho rest, what seemed 10 be portions Of a
yellow wheel houfe. IL may have been the gun
boat Forbes, wrecked in that vicinity some three
eeks SINCE though the boards end other floating
things would indicate recent disaster. The
Siaulding was At Hatteras.
have already referred TO the activity apparent in
the neighborbood of Sswalrs Point. Yesterday
there was similar activity on Jsmes River above
Newport News and IL was evident that the Rebels
were either reinforcing or evscuating the pennsus
ma well As Sc wall Point. In The absence of any
thing positive, we arc Jeff 30 conjecture. The gen.
eral idea that acting she principle Of having un-
drrtahen too much the rebels have resorted to the
roIicy Of falling back to the Gulf Slater where the
coming hot season they live better than We can.
il prevalent At the Same time, the improtabilty Of
their giving up Norfolk without q struggle is con-
fes,ed. Nevertheless, they have given up other
places equally important. fortified with great labor
and cost Whether the Rebels aTe Reinforcing or
evscusng there 10 equal intercs, attached TO their
movements. Tha. their plan was TO attack
Nowport News, by land and water, after the
Merrimac had cleaned ont the shipping, and
that tie Monitor frustrated that plan, tisrs Is no
doubt. IL is probable that we shall know in day
or two wins, tbey are about. Norfolk is Of iInuensc
Importance to them, in the facilities Furnished by the
Yard aud Government works. II is said that
two guuboais tho, have been constructing there
nearly ready to cone out. The place ia where Re.
bellon FORCES it, most formidable instruments of war
fare The question simply is, aha. we wait snd trusi
10 our ability 10 contend with them, with strong
blow, take the place and thus knock from under Re-
be.licn one Of lis principal props
Tic statement that Gen. Wool has orG1'ed away
ondon,s OF the press no; true, nor has there
that am aware OF, been any complaint Of the NM
ner in which they discharge their duties.