Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-31
BuRNsIDE,s EXPEDITION.

count OF the material composing the Burn
side Expedition, list of the military force,
together with the destination of the expedi-
ton and its plan of operations. The follow
ing extracts from the Worlds account will
enable the reader the better to understand
the position Of affairs when we shall have re-
ceived news from the expedition, which we
expect daily
From the fact that the expedition was last
seen in Pamlico Sound, in front Of Newbern.
it is probable, as intimated in our issue OF
Wednesday, that the point ultimately aimed
at is Goldsboro, on the railroad line between
Richmond and the Southern States. Colds
boro is situated fifty miles inland from New
bern, and is connected with it over a level
country by the Atlantic and North Carolina
railroad and by the Neuse river, so that it is
within easy striking distance. Newborn is
situated at the confluence Of the Neuse and
Trent, near the head Of sound or extended
bay, which itself empties into Pamlco Sound,
the command Of both tine principal entrances
20 which-ilatteras and Ocracokc lnlcts-
has been secured by the National forces.
The harbor Of Newborn has water enough
probably for any vessel on the Burnside ex-
petition, and, as far as our information ex-
tends, no formidable Notifications have been
erected in the vicinity, from the fact that it
was impossible for the rebel leaders even TO
guess the destination of the expedition until
within few days
The m st vigorous attempt that is likely
to be made to prevent the passage Of such d
force as that under the command of General
Burnside must certainly fail Of success as
the number of troops requisite to check il
could not be drawn from Manassas without
leaving their army at that place feeble to re-
sist an advance by Gen. Mcclellan.
From Goldsboro it is but lorty-eight miles
by the North Carolina railroad TO Raleigh
the capital of that State, but which possesse.
at least equal Importance as the point through
which the secondary and indirect communca-
ton of the Southern seaboaid Suites with
Eastern Virginia Is kept up. This is effected
by the connection by railroad of Charlotte
the western terminus of the North Carolina
road, with the Columbus branch of the South
Carolina Railroad, and the connection of Ra-
leigh with Petersburgh, Va. by the Raleigh
and CASTOR Railroad II will be the nten-
ton of Gen. Burnside, probably in landing
at Newbern, to push his forces rapidly into
the interior and seize Goldsboro, and possibly
90 move on boldly by the North Carolina
Railroad to Raleigh. The seizure of Colds
boro and Raleigh would ofectualy close
every available avenue of communication be-
between the rebels in Virginia and the South
It is evident from the fact that at the last re-
por' the women and children were leaving
Newbern, that an attack on that place wa.
imminent, and it is possible that much NOR,
which is known remains unpu IIishcd in ODE
dience to the law supptcssiug war intelli
gence.
1t is possible that Washington, near tn,
mouth of the Tar river, might be seized 81
multaneuusly with the seizure of Newbern
and the destruction of the bridges on In,
Tar and Neuso rivers would securely cut of
the rebel forces from their retreat southwark
in this direction
If Roanoke Island is seized it will proven
the rebel navigation of the Island coast, anC
put a stop to the facilities they have hithert,
enjoyed for the communication between Al
bemarle and Pamlico sounds. Ii will also
threaten Norfolk, aud if the movement is fol-
lowed up with energy will accomplish ia,
hanking of the rebel army at that place. Tn,
Dismal Swamp canal being in possession o
our forces would command junction of tn,
main railroad from Norfolk at a town called
suffolk on the Nausen,.-I -tse.,-aud Nor
folk would thus be cut off by water and land
The rebels also anticipate, as would APP
pear from dispatches from the South, an at
tack on Wilmington. This city is situated OF
the left bank of Cape Fear river, Just below
the entrance Of its northeast branch, thirty
four miles from the sea one hundred anC
thirty-hve miles southeast from Raleigh, an,
one hundred and eighty miles northeast from
Charleston. The Wilmington and Raleigl
railroad extends from here north TO Weldon
on the Roanoke river, one hundred and sixty
two miles, and forms part of the great high
way north and south. Another railroad was no
long since opened from Washington to Man
chester in South Carolina, where it connect
with the Camden Branch railroad.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
Considerable dissatisfaction is expresse
among prominent military men with the risk
to which il is alleged the Burnside oxpedi
ton is an will be subjected. These prog
nostications are based in part upon the in
/ completeness Of the equipment and mobile ia
cihtes OF the sixteen thousand troops con
cerned, but principally on the exposed point
of debaIkation and attack selected for thei
operations.
An officer of high rank and connections ha
this morning expressed to me his anxiety o
this subject. lie says land this, owing t
the lateness of the present date, without an
violation of official reticence) that the orde
under which the Burnside expedition lei
Fortress Monroe embrace the following CON
mands-the first peremptory, the second de
pending on the judgment of the leader.
/. The entire feet was TO pass through on
of the inlets below Cape Hatteras, rendeyou
in Pamlico Sound, sail up the Neuse river
and attack and possess the city Of NewberI
on the North Carolina coast.
II. If matters should progress favorably
and dash inland seem feasible, Cen Burr
side was to make forced march with his al
my to Goldsborough sixty miles froI
Newborn Goldsboro' is at the head of III
junction Of the Wilmington and Weldon Raj
road with the road from Raleigh, and thus
main point on the great through line froI
Richmond to Charleston, Savannah and h
Gulf. Its occupation would not, however
completely sever the railway connections, il
asmuch as they have roundabout track frol
Ridgeway to Raleigh, and the North Carolin
Railroad. But il the march to the interic
should seem too perilous, the leaders of tn
expedition were authorized to reembark the
forces, make atwo days sail from Cape Fei
river, and occupy the important and strongl
defended seaport town of Wilmington.
The latter city is also a main point on III