Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-01
TIE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION.
The Newbera Progress, Of Tuesday, ssys;


Nothing would afford US more pleasure at this plr-
ticulsr time, than TO be able TO give strictly accurate
statement Of the strength and condition Of the Burnside
feet We doubted some days ago whether there really
had ever been such thing in existence, and began to
think il was all Yatkee lie but recently We have
become convinced that there IL such thing aud that
WHAT'S left OF il il actually a. Hattsras.
The country q 60 situated shout Hat,eras that IL u
difficult TO get close enough % the enemy 70 take FANS
factory observations without being observed We sa"
however, and conversed with gen eman, ytsiercAy,
direct from Portsmouth, having left that place Saturday
aud arrived here Sunday night who went TO OcraeekS
before leaving took horse and rode down the bank
rear 10 the enemy WAS safe, within ten or twelve ni1s
aad took q good an observation as he could rith
glass He says he counted nnety-three vessef about
twohirds of which steamers all inside the p.f
and about twenty inside the Sound and puts down ios
number at one hundred
sThose in the sound we're lying anchcr and the ere
outside appeared to he rFe man cfwsr, and be iup-
pos, it to be toe regular blocsaiiug ship
We Intercepted him particularly as 10 the ravages OF
the storm and amount OF dsmsge done TO the feet sud
be informed that he could not satisfy himself on mat
point. He, bsweyer, confident that be dstu c''y
saw the wreck Of what he took 20 be a.a large irgse
on tie bar outside and several vessels sgreutd nsae
and gives as bis opinions that 70. less thanrom ten 10
fifteen yes es OF kind another, have been lost IN
side the bar in the recent gale.
These observations taken on Saturday morn7g
and have been reported here by IMAM who u said 10
be every way reliable and Is the latest we Lave rom ne
"geat expedition"
The same gentleman informs u that eight Of the De-
rscoke had been impressed SIS pilots bu! have SUD
sequenty all been released having refused absolutely %
serve in that capacity at the peril Of their lyos
The above information has been furnished by spe
cia agent who was left By Col Siogetary when he lei
Portsmouth for the special work aad may be relied upon
| a. being an honest and faithful report.
COL 7. n. Crosson, who we are happY 70 learn has
been appointed in command Of artillery al this post with
rack OF Lieutenant Colonel, went down Sunday morning
10 command of the Albsrmdre as far as the mouth OF
Pamlco river and seeing nothing returned yesterday
| moring
We are fully spprsed of the anxiety felt by p,rsons Al,
distance particularly thoee OF our friends who have
lately left their pleasant homes to avoid contact with
vulgar Yankees tohear the latest and be sDprsed
of all the OF the enemy, ard shall srare
pains in our Efforts TO crafty their desires, but shall
srenuously avoid street rGmors anything that DOES
not bear upon It's face very strong semblAnce truth
It is not believed that the feet will be able to Tcfy
the breach made by the recent Storm get through light
ching their vessels the swash and get here IN
nal days. perhaps week two, but that they intend
coming seems to be pretty generally conceded.
Meantime, our preparations TO receive them should
not be relaxed Let the work 60 brsvey on, and whom
they do let them feel that they have Invaded a
ate of freemen and stout hesrsa State that has M
or yet bowed the necE tyrants yoke. We are glad
to tina. confidence 10 daily Strengthening IN ouE ADJ
/ ity to give them .es1 when they do cone, but ya
should recoect with reverence and profound thanks
giving 10 God that the storm sent upon them las!
week to enable " get ready for them Gud should cot
| let moment pass unimprovcd.
Our military director Of course, better posted "a
to the strength Of the expedition than are, but they
will pardon for reminding them Of the facs that should
they come they will bring some Of The most powerful
guns known modern warfare, and while 10 whip al
s1pe them is the prime object next IN importance ID
s the Of engineering cur river as 10 enttc
ourselves TO take possession OF soine Of these gun,
should they b, bold to venture into river. w
believe this eau be done We will not suSgest pi D
however, believing that We have heads in the serTie,
here fully competent TO device the s,rst,gem.