The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-03-05

NEWBERN, n. C., Feb. ~, 1864.
Major-Gen. Peck, since his return, has
been engaged in making rigid inspection
Of all the Notifications OF the department.
He has received trustworthy intelligence
OF the enemy's intention to make another
effort to dispossess us of our possessions in
Eastern North Carolina with the assistance
of three Rebel iron-clads plated ten inches
thick, which are nearly ready to move sim
ultaneously down the Neuse, Roanoke and
Tar Rivers. Gen. Peck is taking measures
to impede the progress Of these iron -clads
which purpose moving conformity with land
forces on our three most important points
on those three rivers-NewberB, Plymouth
and Washington.
1t appears 10 be the impression, both in
side and outside Of our lines, that Virginia
is to be evacuated, and the battle-ground is
to be transferred 10 North Carolina. Hence
the desire OF the enemy to make a formid
able and desperate effort to obtain possess
ion of this productive portion of the State,
and its extensive water communications,
before reinforcements can arrive for us.
The Wilmington Journal, in its recent
declaration that North Carolina would be
lost TO the Confederacy unless this achieve
ment is realized. gave utterance, says the
Raleigh Standard, to the conditions on
which Gov. Vance would pledge the future
cooperation Of the State with the Confed-
eracy.
The presence of an additional number Of
formidable gunboats, and "A small increase
to our present force which General Peck is
anx ious to obtain, will make the enemys
efforts fruitless and turn the existing con-
ditional cooperation mentioned in our ia
vOr.
From Plymouth we learn that c. w.
Flusser, the naval hero of these waters,
commanding the naval forces at that point,
is, as usual, ready and very anxious to see
the enemy. Gen. Vessels, in command Of
the army forces there, who enjoys great
popularity with his troops and the people,
has sent word to General Peck that he and
Flusser can hold Plymouth against any
force the enemy may send.
Washington, so renowned for the famous
seige Of last year, the coveted point, will
doubtless again be the theater OF a despe-
rate contest.
Acting Brig. Gen. McCheeney, LIST North
Carolina Union Volunteers, who was Gen.
Fosters chief reliance during the memoir
able seige, and who is one Of the most
promising officers in the department, is in
command Of our forces at that point. This
important position was bestowed upon Col.
McChesney by Gen. Foster in consideration
Of his heroic services, and ratified by Gen.
Peck.
The recent expedition which left Plym-
outh, under the command Of Lieut.. Col.
Maxwell, and destroyed such large guam
tity Of rebel commissary stores, struck a
severe blow at the enemy in that section,
and frustrated their operations, and has Sc
cured for Col. Maxwell the thanks OF the
commanding general.
Washington's Birthday was celebrated
here by the military and the fire depart
ment, and was the most imposing demon
stration ever witnessed in this city.
Intelligence has just been received that
the enemy have hung ffty-one soldiers,
captured by them in their recent attack on
New bern, all Of whom belonged to the I'd
Regiment Of North Carolina Union Volun-
teers (white,) 1t creates u great deal ofex-
element, and if the news is confirmed the
affair may result in the hanging Of fifty -one
Rebels by Gen. Butler. Witnesses have
arrived who saw three OF these brave men
shot by the enemy soon after their arms
were taken from them.-C0r ". Y. ITib.
recent traveller in South America,
speaking Of the noise OF insects in its