Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-02-05
The burnside Expedition.

There can be no doubt that the recent storm has
seriously damaged this expedition vet our latest in
formation, if any thing can be relied on from the
coast is that Burnside has at least 10 or 80 of his
vessels In Pamllco Sound, and that he has ordered
reinfurcements and munitions to repair the damage
of the storm. In few days we may, therefore, en-
pect him to attempt to carry out the designs of the
expedition.
What are its designs? The size of the expedition
clearly shows that it Is not simply marauding toray
upon the good people of the Eastern counties. One
third of the force would have been amply sufficient
for that purpose. Nor can We think the object is
to attack Newbern for the purpose of advancing into
the country to seize Goldsboro and get the control
of our railroads The Yankees are not quite such
blockheads and they by far too cowardiy to aim
at thing of that kind, with little to be gained at
such hazard.
We are satisfied from the size of the expedition,
from the Importance of the stake, that the first OBJ
ect Of the erpeditoa is to take Roanoke Island and
Immediately to push for the Seaboard Railroad to
get in the rear of Norfolk. Let any one curious
enough to know take the map and trace the course
of the Chowan and Nottoway rivers, and notice their
contiguity to the Seaboard Railroad. How many
troops have we on the Seaboard Road? How many
near Franklin depot? How many at Suffolk? How
many rangers on Chowan river to watch the advance
of the enemy and give warning? What if General
Wool from Fortress Monroe, were to make e stimuli
taneous movement across James river and get pos.
session of the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad p
What. we ask, would be the condition of Norfolk,
if the enemy were to get possession Of those two
Roads?
We are 10th to speak out thus but We have hint
ed and limited, and nave talked privately, about
the danger of such movement, but as yet, so far
aswe know we stand with our hands in our brooches
pockets, waiting and waiting. The enemy no doubt
fully understand this matter. The villain Foster,
who knows all about these localities was, at last &C.
counts, with the fleet at Hatteras. Negroes are
constantly eleping from Suffolk and Smithfield, and
perhaps, white emissaries with them to Fortress
Monroe, who, doubtless are fully advised of our
condition
This, we believe, is the design of the enemy.
Should he be successful, i: will be all easy matter
then, to carry out his maraudng designs upon the
Eastern Counties When We think Of the POSSIBLE
ity of his despoiling and running fellow citizens
of those Counties, of the immense damage and loss
to accrue to US by the taking of Roanoke Island
Hyde, Washington and Newbern, and then reflect
how easily and at what small cost it might have
been prevented, had the authorities done their duty
weareata loss for terms to express indignation al
80 wanton sacrifice Of the fairest portion of thu
State. May a bengnant Providence still interpost
to prevent so sad calamity!
P. S. We have no information from the Burn
side feet further than there about 40 vessels
Pamplico Sound. The fleet has been much damaged
but will pursue its design as soon as reinforced.