Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-29

TIE enemy evidently c0ntemplates a simuaDeCo D.
advance upon all the Inns be has Sell ced for attack
aud this at very early day. Under the impression
perhaps that L0ngsreet has gone to Tennessee 10 re
I rec Bregg, thus weakening Lees army, well &c
that the army has further weakened for tie
purpose Of strengthening lines in this State, Gene
Tal BURNSIDE thinks the time has come for striking
the rebellion mortal blow on the Repentance,
and in order to make that blow fl ctua Foster is
try his Eal 10 North Carolina in the way Of cutting
OF railroad communication and raising the blockade Of
Wilmington by capturing the place About this FOs-
expedition, these FosTER expeditions, there has
been good deal OF uystifcalion Either the weather,
or trouble in tLciy own camp, news of tie meat
provided for their reception the different threatened
points has delayed their movements perhaps with the
view Of providing additional OF offence couE-
terbalance the additional means of defence which they
have asCeTtaned to exist One ell of these causes
may have operated TO prevent their moving per pro-
gramme they may have only been making feiDts,
far, but cannot disguise from ourselves the fact
that within few hours sail of Wilmington, the enemy
has the most formidable combined land and force he
has yet sent out against single seaport, numbering
over one hundred transports, at least two Monitors
and possibly other less formidable irouCa6s, with
eighteen twenty heavily erued wooden vessels OF
the transports being sufficient TO carry twenty-five thou
sand men at least while SIMILAR iOTCt may be sent
land This latter supposton although highly probable
Is more conjectura May not view Of these facts,
expect the enemys e ned movements to be soon changed
into teal and formidable attack Havs We any
that the storm when does burst, will not burst
upon On the contrary. have We not every warnil
10 lu house in Order and be prepared for whatever
may come, not indulgUg il false security because tie
attack has not already come, and therefore teicatpg
ourselves with the notion that it cannot or vii not
, come at all
We do not say that tbe formidable preparations COW
made liking at esuort are certainly designed tor
the capture of this place. that they may not posi-
receive aCother direction. They ay have reference
Charleston but the appearance OF things crtsiny gives
q strong PrePonGerance of weight to the opEiOn that
ndicates this point at least their first destination
No doubt the emmy would much prefer to get pos
session OF the Railroad at Weldon, or even at Colds
boro, but he has found that, with our troops moving
on al interior line, always concentrate suf.
Gent repel him any point distant from bis
base OF operation and of transportation, to Wit, bis
fleets. Hence is rendered probable his attack on Will
mngton since il such attack he may expect receive
the assistance Of his navy.
This co-oF eration OF ships or gun-boats will de-
ermine The character and direction of the Spring cam
paign 10 the Southwest now that the rivers OF that
section will soon be in boatable order We NAV
pect the enemy to make all the use of this that
possibly can curing the 1t three months and bali
aud hence may look fo seeboard attacks and river
raids
Let Us hope for the best. The night of our fierce
trial draws towards close and day is at hand but
once more for short tme the gloom may close IN a.
ParentIy thicker aud more impervious than But
out oil this darkness will come light, which will gro"
brighter and brighter until ,he perfect day.