New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-04
FROM THE BURNSIDE EEPEDh-
TION.
Preparations for nm AdvH"ce-Thc D'''1'''
OF Wilmington, N. u

Presentations for AdvRnre-Ihe b'''
Of WILMINGTON, N. u
'''1' BxArroRr N c., May "a, 1862.
AL ouiet here in Beaufort Ilabor, where the
thnpders of sixty cannon were heard little "hi's
AGO and q nest of traitors bad their stolen fortress
ho,,s,ad ebout their heads. All quiet on the Nense
ond the Trent where great feet of men-ot-war
,rapsnorts and provision vessels lying at anchor,
or tied M at the Newbern whsrves. All quiet up
Albemare and Pamlico Sounds, 30 lately swept by
Rebel cruisers; and away up to the rear of Norfolk
whittier while at Roanoke, we looked for the ap-
proach of Rebel land and naval forces all III quiet.
With his army getting well rested after the iatigues
of the FIVE months campaign his rear thoroughly
protected aganst surprise; his forces augmenting
by reinforcement; a cafe harbor secured for the
admission of supplies; and the original plan of cam
paign finished agreeably to the instructions of Nc
Clellan, Gen. Burnside rests from bis labors, aud
gathers for another spring. On The line OF his adj
yanced posts the enemy hangs in force, working win
desperate zeal at tie batteries and breastw orks which
be thinks will stop inland march. Not daring 10
at,emp, tie recapture of Newbern-for that is now
fortified against all possibility of tha-thc Rebels
push their pickeis as they can and try TO
annoy US with petty skrmishes and scouting forAys
Down the coast, Wilmington and It's approaches are
being fortified as strongly SIS possible IN the
vain hope that it may DO moro impregnabie
than New. Orleans or Savannah. But nowhere else
from Camden to Cape Fear does there remain ves,
tgs Of that power which the ConfederateS enjoyed
six months ago. 40
From the seacosst inward, to distance of say so
miles the authority o. the Government Is completely
re-established and no Rebel flag iauuts the breeze
Under what disadvantages, through what trial ana
heart breaking encouragement, with what military
force this great result has been achieved, the public
/ does not know; perhaps never will. The name OF
Burnside is hailed with enthusiasm in New-lork, L
find and thousands ready to fling up their caps
and shout welcomes TO him when he comes home
but for all that glory Is sweet, warrant that Burn
side has seen times at Hatteras when his heart was
ready TO break with rhe prospect of defeat and dsas-
ter ahead. The load of responsibility on hin
or self assumed il matters not-was enough TO crush
! a man to the earth and would have crushed him II
it hadn't been for his splendid pluck for bis rnan-
ness in looking at the best side, and chiefly for the
ability and devotion of Gems Foster, Reno, and
Paike, bis three brigadiers. The part which
these general officers have had in seeur-
ing the success OF the expedition, Gen. burnside
knows better and acknowledges more heartily than
other men. The navy IL its own way has contribute
very largely toward rearrg the harvest OF glory Tor
there il not a river on the whole coast line which
the little gnnbosts have not penetrated, aud the gal
liant fieht at Elizabeth City will compare for dash
and pluck with the doughtiest doDgs OF Paul Jones
and his Bonhonme Ricaard. They assiStek nc Roak-
oke, Newborn, and Fort Macon-perbaps as much
al Newbern anywhere, for their shells routed the
garrison Of Fort Thompson, and thus made Gen.
, foster's wax the essier-but their work will be
virtual, eided when Wilmington is taken and the
dear old a, is hOsted again on tho rauparte CT OFT
Caswell. Yes, all is quiet now III the Department
OF North Carolina ana for all that army would
GO the crops might be titled every plantation IN
the Seaboard Counties Bat the sleep Of Burnside
Is not stnpor, and the enemy must beware let Que
more deadly blow is struck at The time and IN the
place least expected Gains come before, well as
after storms, YOU know.
/ Are all Rebel officers liars Is there no one who
retains enough Of The only love Of truth and honor
10 act M All officer ana gentleman i could not
help asking myself thesc questions to-day on hear
ing the report brought by the officers OF the Chip
peyyi from Wilmington. Col. White and his three
hundred were released after the capture Of Fort
Macon BY Gen. Burnside, on their giving their
solemn parole OF honor Lot 10 take service with or
assist the enemy until regularly exchanged. Col
White was vouched for az an honorable man AID
soldier by hs classmate, Capt. Biggs. lie rent
with "A iag OF truce to Wilmington. The enemy
had been building forts and batteries on Federal
Point and elsewhere as seemed best. But two days
after White reached Wilmington the batteries We're
neglected and army OF mrn act to work level
ing the salld bills Oak Island for di.iauce
o. mile and half from Fort Caswell,
care being taken leave Of those hills and mol
lows which had sheltered III on Dogue Banks aid
/. led to the easy capture OF Fort Macon: Day aud
night they have been i. ever since until now they
have made a level plain Of sand along which their
heavy guns have full sweep. The two light house,
which might give shelter 10 siarshooters have been
y blown up, and every tree and burh where | mon
soldier could find cover has been cut away. Tie
officers OF the Chippewa, who took White and biz
men from Macon To Caswcll, that by the aid OF
their glsses they have seen White on The rampant,
OF Caswel with the officers Of the ga1ison. How
unless through the representations Of the pafoeC
colonel could they have got this sudden inspiration
for levelng the sand-hills and thur redeemed an
oversight which would have proved fatal 70 tbeiI
tenure Of the fort And what business had thi,
prisoner OF on the ramparis OF that Tor, giving
the aid OF his counsel, when bs honor was pledged
TO remain neutral? If living and treschcry mud moi
marked almost al dealings OF North Carolina Rebel
prisoners with us it would be right to give White
the benefit Of doubt, and take him for The honor
able sOld which his former friends in this Division
believed him TO be.
! Tie approach TO Fort Caswell is up Just such o
sand-s1t that at Font Macon. The bills and val
leys arc almost counerparts OF those among which
Gen. Pai lie hid lis men, and c0nsructrd In batteries
II they had been left as they were when the Macon
| prisoners reached Casweli, forces could have
been landed and crept under cover within very
short range of the guns, and erected batteries Of
PARROTS and mortars, pernaps, without losing man.
/ Now IL cant be done. The fort must therefore be
taken If at all, by the feet. part OF the fleet is
there now. The boats have ran in several times 20
try the range OF their guns, and planted shot and
rbt II in the Rebel batteries and CAMPS
IIhs cnciiy hns fired several hundred rounds at
them as they steam leisurely past within range. but
no srai has yet hren done Il in estimated thai the
enemy's force at Fort Caswtil, the batteries, and
Smithvil. 10 -bOni 1900 the greater pant being III
iantry liside and ontide the fort there ave nun-
Ter o. heavy riiied guns. probably such =
Capt Poois battery in Fort hiacon. Some ART on
circuar trayristr, ST. 10 sweep the approaches
FINN every direction, Tae river is ois;rsied with