Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-09
FROM THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION

Expected attack of the Rebels upon NepJsru
Operations at Beaufort-fhe Strength
Of Fort Macon.
The New York Post of Tuesday says:
The steamer Ellen $. Terry, Capt. Chaplin, ar
rived at this port today from Newborn " G..
whence she sailed on the I'D inst. The intelli.
gence by this arrival Is quite important
Information bad been received at Newbern TO
the effect that the rebels had collected consid.
cradle army, variOusly estimated at from 20. 600
to 40 600 men, and that an attack upon Newbefn
would be made at an early day. Their army had
not been fully concentrated, according to the
statements which were received, principally from
our scouts; and all sorts Of rumors were cfrcua-
ted as to the proximity of the rebels-some ac-
counts representing them TO be within ten miles,
and Others forty miles away. The variations in
these accounts are explained by the fact that large
bodies of the enemy have been seen In various
localities, and that the encamppent Of each was
regarded rs the beadquai tiers Of The whole army.
These rumors Of N intended attack confirm re-
ports which we have previously received.
The Federal force, according to our ipforma
ton, await the coming of the rebels with conf
deuce. The spirit Of the soldiers Is excellent ard
the result OF the battle, which they evidently er-
pect, 10 not questioned The overwhelming sue.
cess Of our troops In their conflicts at Roanoke
island and Nswbern has led them to regard a
battle with the chivalry without the slie hest D
prehension. The common remark among the
volunteers, is, owe are ready-let them come -
Ii 10 understood that General Burnside believes
that the rebels intend to attack him, and that he
is making ample preparations to hold his position
Gen. Burnside had visited Beaufort; but when
the Terry sailed had returned to Newberp, and
tie operations at the latter point were going on
under his personal supervision.
RUMoRHD PROPOSAL TO THE REBELS TO EvAcuArE
PORT MACON.
The Union forces at Beaufort are under COM
mand of Gen Reno. Preparations for sheIIinp
out the rebels at Fort Macon were N king but
under adverse circumstances as our troops had
been obliged to work on tbeif entertainments
while standing in mud up TO their knees Thew
were progressing favorably, however The siege
works were In charge Of Lieut. Flagley, a West
Point officer.
Lieut.. Flagley lad been seat to Fort Macon
under nag OF truce, and 1t was understood that
he was charged with an offer to the rebels that If
they would surrender the fort they should be
permitted to retire unTnolested, and to IA he with
them their property and such arms as they could
carry. This was currently stated and generally
oelieveoi out not coLIoboTated, except by the
following statement THAT the strength Of the
fort rendered II extremely probable that fearful
loss OF life and long siege must before its
reduction could be accomplished, and that Ii was
deemed better TO obtain possess on OF the fort and
permit the escape OF the five hundrsd rebels who
composed the garrison. Tue report states, in con-
clusion, that the rebels refused 10 accept tie offer
deeming themselves sufficiently strong TO main.
tain the position.
coNDTIoN or THE COUNTRY. wee
regular ferry has been established at New
bern at the point where the railroad bridge wzs
ferry boat
Affairs at all the point. which have been can
tured by our forces are regarded ia in favorable
condition; ana there is little probability that
General Burnside will be materially crippled by
any operations the rebels an undertake
A steamer full Of rebel prisoners captured at
Newbern lies 9ffth town. Probably they will
not be released.