Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-13
The Success OF the Burnside Expedi-
ton The Capture es Roanoke Is
land aud Destruction Of the Re bel
Gum boat Fleet.

The telegraphic columns this morning contain
thrilling and exciting news. The intelligence OF
the success Of the Federal troops. under General
BuHssiDK. IN the capture Of the rebel fortifca-
tons and forces on Roanoke Island. the destruc-
ton Of the rebel gunboat fleet, and the advance
of the Union army inland. j. most decisive and
cannot fail TO be attended with the most import
ant results. The reports we have of the victory
come through rebel sources, but the enemy ae-
knowledge a disastrous and overwhelming de
feat The extent of the victory and its cost Ia
our arms cannot be fully known until we receive
direct intelligence from the expedition. The
fall of Fort HsHy and Roanoke Island is
a severe blow upon the rebels, not only
in their Importance strategic points but in the
moral depression the defeat must have upon the
Southern people. but even these victories To be
effective must be followed by continued energetic
aggressive movements. The capture OF territory
add it, oeespstion require luge bodies Of tioeps,
which must be taken from those already in the
field and thus weaken the main body. 1t this
policy IS pursued. unless the army is largely rein
forced, il may prove a source of weakness instead
OF strength. For nine months our forces have
been organizing and preparing for service. The
brilliant aehies ements at Fort Henry and Roanoke
Island are the first fruits OF this preparatory
work. III they are succeeded by Federal
Columbus. the military organization of
the Confederate States will receive blow
which il will be very difficult to overcome
These triumphs OF our arms will excite impa-
tienee for more decisive victories, and the clamor
will agrn be heard for onward movements The
importance OF the seizure IF Roanoke Island and
the object Of the expedition is thus detailed by
the New York Herald:
The object OF taking Roanoke Island by the
Union forces IS 10 take the initiative toward seiz
ing other points on the railroads running directly
south from Richmond, and thus effectually cut
of the supplies from the Southern States ii the
Union troops are fortunate enough to secure its
capture, IL will put stop TO the inland coast
navigation of North Carolina, which means of
transportation has been SO useful from its safety
against hostile cruisers
The most important object of the seizure will,
however, be the threatening of \ r.olk. and, if
II IS thought advisable TO follow up he advantage
the hanking of the rebel army at Norfolk A
Sounds, and thus commanding the great Abe
marie and Chesapeake Canal, and the Dismal
Swamp Canal, would command the adjunct ca
nal known as the Jericho Canal, connecting,
through Lake Drummond. with an important
railroad junction ut a town called Suffolk.
the Nansemond river, where the main railroad
route from Norfolk branches into what are called
the Norfolk and Petersburg railroad, and the
Seaboard and Roanoke railroad, thus completely
cutting onall connection by rail or water between
Norfolk and its surrounding country, and the 9th
er parts OF the rebel regions
The strategic Importance of such movement,
IL successfully made. will form one of the most
important features OF the war. The island is
position which is valuable to Us, commanding,
IL does, the-Currituck Sound which opens in
TO Albemarie. Currituck Is about fly miles
long. ten miles vide, and is navigable for vessels
drawing ten feet OF water. Owing the natur,
breakwater which protects large portion OF the
coasts OF North Carolina and Virginia, the water
i a placid as lake, and easily navigated.