New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-27

The people here have been in q terrible state Of
excitement ever since the great Burnside expedition
vss first suggested; they made sure that We would
come here aud burn their town, and put all the
people to the sword, and nssmuch as their city was
40 much exposed, the people knew it was entirely
useless to crfy it in any manner, for the water is
Deep and our steamers could come up without any
difficulty, and burn their city shOuld they resist u.s.
The Mayor and authorities, after looking Ut us for
little while, finally took courage enough to solicit
an interview with Capt. hurry, who informed them
that if they did not take mp arms against the Unlon
that they would not be moested by our forces which
news appeared to afford them much gratihca'lon'
The authorities said the city all Union, and that
if we could protect the people in these counties we
would have all the support the Government could
desre, not only in Eden,on, but throughout the en-
tire State.
Capt hurry found six bales Of cotton and 9
schooner all Of which were seized a. contrabande o.
war We shall soon be able 10 make arrangements
with the people to receive their cotton, which they
are eager 10 se u.s. and which can be had in large
quantities. as it will he brought here from Union set
dement's, which are to DO found learn, all through
the cotton counties. large amount IL in the hands
of Union men not far from this point.
A schooner, with large load Of cotton, left thl
city Yesterday which will doubtless fall into on
hands for there is no way for her to escape through
these Sounds INFO the Atlantic, as all Of the inlet
lead 10 into the ocean are now under our complete
control.
The authorities Of this city said that they bad no
taken up arms against the Union or suffered any for
,fcsiions to be erected about or near the city, o.
uepaced the Government In any manner whatever
On the contrary, they organized "A Union company n
the commencement Of the rebellion, and continued u
keen il no until late day, when they were inall,
Obliged to take neutral position, in order 10 save
heir lives and property from the vengeance of tie
Virginia Rebels. The comfy it appears If Cnior
two TO one also are all the eastern counties OF The
State, we are informed by the people, though they
dare not openly express their sentiments.
The cirizene here tie loyal than At Elizabeth
Civ. where they come 10 ns in delegations without
number claiming the protection Of the Stare aud Stripes
and begging 10 rbe most pteous tones for Ms 10 land
"A force snd give their property and lives the protec
ton they were entitled to- which reasonable request
trus, will soon be complied with. II appears that
the city was ordered to be fred by Wi.es Legion
and ths, tho citinens or all the property holders
were opposed 10 such rash course. IL ia truly M
affecting scene TO see with what reverence these op
pressed Union people looked upon the Stars md
Stripes fs,w gronp e men a; Elizabeth City,
weeping under its ample Ids relating how much
they bad suffered since they had been deprived Of it,
protection, kissing their bands al the proud ON
blen az they took their departure, wishing tina; heil
ewes might never again be insul,ed by the sigh, o.
the praical flag of the rebellion. / have been in
formed by many prominent Union men that just n
soo al our forces assure the people, of this sec
ton, OF our ability TO afford them permanent protec
ton that not only will wee At east two-,bifds o
the people arrsying themselves openly on the aide o.
the Union, bu, any number will volunteer " fgh
for the old flag.
When Capt. Muny with his squadron, arrived
here, a Northern man from Philadelphia, by the
naue Of John Robinson came on board and claimed
tho protection Of the flag OF tho Union. He was re-
ceived and will 90 home by the iirt boat. From
this conference.-the 10 quito intsllgent-we have
obtained much valuable information. Many Union
men. he says, have been obliged 10 join the Robe
army to prevent Themselves from starving, while
great Numbers have been impressed into the service
having 10 other alternative but to comply or DO hung
Yesterday we were informed by the citizens that
eomoauv Of Wise's soldiers came within few milo,
of Elizabeth City and seized large gang Of slaves
and bound their hands behind and then drove then
OF. ut the poin, Of the bsyonet, to place csllet
Hartford. twelve miles from this place where thest
slaves are made to work, building battery by in
structions from Gen. Wise. We are also informed
BY the citizens that the slaves were made to load and
work the gun. in the fort III Elizabeth City al
through the action, while the gunner sighted gum
and fired them OF.
The Union citizens there are willing to give the,
affdavi,s to this fact. In Nowbern, the slaves ar,
to be used for like purpose they have, We Learn
by the citizens been drilled in this practice for Ions
time back. This work will be required from thes,
slaves who also built all the Notifications in ant
about NewbeIn.
Among the many valuable documents captured OF
the Rebel flag -ship-some Of which l send you fo
pubicsion--is the famous Breckinrdge letter. which
was written to Mr.. Caboon Of Elizabeth City, in De
tober before the Presidential election; in which let
ter be says he loves the Union. but the South b,
loves better. This letter found lie way into the
North Carolina papers, and created great excitement
and n soon as it became evident TO his friends thai
he would lose the vote Of the State, be authorized
the Editor Of The Southern to pronounce ii forgery
II 10 an autograph letter, and Mr. B knew it was NJ
forgery. Also, send you, among these interesting
documents, n highly important paper, which il
nothing less than copy Of the Rebel Flag Officer,
report of the engagement at Roanoke Island. Ii
made another report on the 10th, in which he ssic
their loss was 200 killed.
From papers found on the Rebel hag.ship we Learn
that thoy are building six gunboats ut Norfolk slsc
that contract was signed in Charleston the day that