New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-09
The Departure Of the Expedition-A Grand
sight-The Change OF Bsse-Movc-
ments OF the Ryeet-Charlesten Harbor
-Uss Rorfs and Rafieries.

Its Forts and Batteries.
A correspondent Of The Baltimore american,
writing from board the steamer Ericsson at Port
Royal March 25. gives lengthy account of the
movement against Charleston, from which we ex'
tract the following material points:
GRAND SIGHT.
As we neared the buoy at the bar, about eight
miles from Hh.on Head, loDg line Of steamer s,
sailing vessels end Monitors could be seen coming
out Of PORT ROYAL. The first two vessels, the Maple
Leafand the Glide we're loaded with troops, aud
they coon headed oil toward Charleston. IL now
became evident chat an expedition for the vicinity OF
Charleston was i1s, starting, and that we had ar
rived IL time to witness the whole movement. In n
short tine after we distinctly made out four Moni-
Tors, ID tow Of steamers, approaching the bar, aud
5000 thu steamer Catawba with the Weehawken in
low, pasge1 close along side OF US. Then came the
gunboat Sabago, towing the Mentor Nabant Next
came the Catskil, in tow OF the steamer Locust
Point, followed by the Nantasket.
The scene from .he deck Of the Ericsson was
grand and imposing 20 the expedition passed IN re-
view oeOse Us, Tie steamers aud Monitors beng ln-
Iefsiersed Svih nUinesOus sailing vessels, With aIn-
nunlllon, coal, &c., and several mortar scbooners.
Looking forward Int the harbor Of Port Royal,
sheie was visible ftip larger number of vessels at
anchor near Hilton Head, leaving nothing visible in
the center Of the harbor but the fag.shiD Wabash
AUG lhe storesJip Vermont.
NC weathe- ID most prOptiOus for the starting OF
cs pedition, bright, clear, and beautiful and nav
Ale nsu week OF storm aud rain along he coast
tneIe - some pcomise before us Of week Of good
%ea1ner Tor active operations Even the saiiing
vessels nave fair wind from Port Royal 20 Chares.
t0n Osi ana are moving pagt us with every sail set
sLu sVile Vi 'heIa oulssilug the steamers.
ARRIVAL AT PORT ROYAL.
we reached Fort Royal at poon to-day fWedoes-
day1, and dropped spcbor near Tue aag-slip Wabash.
at our old anchorage.
On arriving here we ascertain that the exnedtiou
started down the coast this tnoruing, with four of
She Monitors, ana Is bound Tor the North Edisto
tweDty miles this side Of Charleston. There iii
remain three Mouit0Ss-the Passaic. The Montank
anal the Patapsc0-at anchor in the harbor with !,
large number OF transports.
1his expedition is said to be TO siience sope forts
at the lower end Of Folly Island, and the troops are
10 be landed 70 hold them. james Irla.4d il viii be
remembered, is in the rear Of Fort Sumter, and ON
the upper Ell 4 Of IL is CumDingss Point on which
Is located the celebrated railroad battery that figured
10 largely in the bombardment OF Fort Sumter at
Tie commeDceu ent OF the war. Folly Island is the
next island adj .qing it.
The fleet that went out this morning had been in
readiness " start TOR -four days past bot had been
kepI back by tie stormy weather. 1hie movement
hay therefore, be regarded rs one Of the preiGin-
1es 10 the atlack Charleston, a-d, If successful.
We may expect 10 move very soon III the same direc-
%u. Whatever may be ito intention, it is too
hfong 10 fail.
CHANGE or BASE.
'oe change OF base from the barbor Of Port Royal