Year: 1861




Rebel Views of the Great Expedition.
From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 4.


The sailing of the great naval expedition
will attract special attention. Speculation will
now soon be at an end and perhaps before
these lines shall be printed the telegraph will
tell us where the blow has fallen. Alter read
ing these orders, however, we cannot join in
the opinion which TO some extent prevails
that the contemplated landing is intended on
any compare lively secluded and undetended
spot. Ii this giant force is to take possession
OF some sand bar or marshy island, or sea.
coast village, why such strict injunction that
the expedition should sail in body, and the
soldiers land in such heavy array, and with
tile admontion that their courage will proba-
bly, be tested {? Ii we judge these orders by
the ordinary rules, and in connection with the
northern boasts that a terrible blow Is to be
struck, and at our very vitals, We cannot but
conclude that it is expected to debark either
in the vicinity OF a strong Confederate army
or of large Confederate city Applying
these tests, Pensacola, and Charleston, and
Savannah, and New Orleans, are the points
which present themselves to our mind. There
is something SO absurd in the injunction to
keep the expedition close together, and to land
in a long line of boats, and with elaborate
preparations, for the purpose OF capturing
Sand Point, or Mosquito Bar, or Alligator Inlet,
that it is difficult to conceive that the northern
generals would thus make themselves rldicu.
lous.


If the expedition attempt TO land at an i'm.
portant point, we hope that our force would be
sufficient for their repuse Ii among the
pines and swamps, they will have committed
a great folly, and injured themselves, not us.
We are not, however, without other hopes.
Eha uit,Ie hav lin 10
have been pouring out their floods. We con-
Tess title blast Of the storm has Sc unded in
our ears like sweetest music 1t has made us
think of the Spanish armada, that sailed in
great pomp, on grand design, but was dis.
persed by the winds, and vanquished without
meeting an enemy. Who knows but that
stormy Hatteras was created for such time
as this Who can tell but that the rocks and
sands OF the Florida coast shall prove the in
strumepts OF Providence to Punish the wick
eGlness of man The grand fleet sailed on
Tuesday, the 29th. On Friday afternoon the
storm commenced. Where the feet had got
to whether the storm there ragged and whe.
ther it claimed its prey, we have yet to learn.


But whether by the winds Of heaven, or by
the blessing of heaven on southern valor, we
hope soon to be able to announce that the fleet
which sailed from Hampton Roads is fleet
that shall never more return, unless, indeed,
under another flag.


From the Norfolk Day Book.


We understand that gentleman, arrived in
this city several days since, reports that a yes-
sci recently arrived on the coast of South Car
olipa in an apparent state OF distress, from
some Of the British islands, bound TO Balti-
more. Some of her sails and rigging had been
cut away, as though she had been in gale,
and she was endeayoring to work her way into
Charleston harbor, Tor the purpose OF getting
relief. She was overhauled by the federal
fleet off that coast and by them fitted up with
such needed repairs as would enable her to
keep on her way. They then put their mail
on board Of her She left there, and soon got
an opportunity and lodged in either to
Charleston or some other southern port, where
she was delivered over to the rebels. together
with her valuable cargo. On an examination
OF the letters in the mail from the Yankee
fleet, it was found that considerable informa.
ton leaked out as to the intention of the in-
yading fleet which recently left Hampton
Roads. II appears from this source OF inform
alton that their design is to attack Charleston
in force from three different points or APP
proaches, and it may be that Port Royal is one
OF these points. This information luckily has
been in the possessisn OF the Charleston au.
thorities long enough to give them an oppor.
tunity to prepare for their reception, that is if
they can place any reliance on it.


1t is quite likely that the severe gale which
has been sweeping along our southern coast,
and which prevailed here on Saturday morn
ing with so much force, has either sunk or
driven on shore a portion of the feet or it
may be has SO scattered them as to delay the
time Of the contemplated attack. If this
should prove correct surmise then it will
only give us some additional time to make
preparations, and at one point where We sus-
pect they intend to attack, a few days only
gained would enable them to defy the attack
of the lIessians. Now what is stated above
may probably have some connection with the
following which we find in the Richmond Ex.
aminer OF Saturday morning we say it may
have some connection with it, although
we don't know that it has-we merely tell it
as it was told to US, without vouching for its
occurrence.


The Examiner, of Saturday, says :-"It is
understood that the government has informa-
ton, the particulars of which are not given to
the public, that furnishes grounds Tor the be.
lief that the Yankee fleet were preparing to
land at Port Royal in South Carolina. There
Is SAID to be here one of the most capacous
and finest harbors en- the Atlantic coast with
but few natural advantages for its defence 1t
Is thought not improbable that the enemy may
attempt to move inland toward Charleston" !"