Year: 1861

The Success of the Naval Expedition.


From the New York Herald, OF Nov. e.


Since Saturday last, when we published an ae-


count Of the bombardment of Beauford, through
flag Of truce from Norfolk TO Fortress Monroe, we
have received no account whatever of that event
from the fleet ITSELF much less of the results which


are said TO have followed from it. But from re-


bel authority the NEST encouraging reports Of the
| expedition have reached us, and we are bound to
give some credit for veracity to those who admit
their own defeat. From their flags of truce, from
the teegraphie dispatches in their own newspapers
and from the news circulated everywhere through
the South, there can be little doubt of the sueee
Of this great naval enterprise. Deserters have
brought the intelligence, and it has come to us IN
so many shapes and from so many quarters in
dependent of each other, and all Of them rebel
sources, that it would be absurd to reject the ev~
dence.


1t may be asked why we have not official news
from the fleet ITSELF any sort Of direct intelli
gence from it. The,answer is that the expedition
was considerably scattered by the storm, that it
requires time for subsequent rendezvous, that the
stack only commenced on Thursday last and there
is scarcely time yet to report the result
The dispatch boats which were detailed 70 con-
Yey intelligence to the Government were wrecked
or disabled, and it is probable that vessel of war
could not be spared for such mission till the ocs
cupatiOn Of Beaufort was rendered secure. It
must be recoeeted toO that the telegraph in South
Carolina is in the hands of the rebels. and that the





Fortress Monroe or Annapolis. On the contrary
che South CarOlinians could send the news instan-
taneOusly over the magnetic wires throughout the
whole Southern States.


That this important news has produced its effect
at the South is very evident. Davis, Beauregard
and number Of rebel troops from the army of the
Petomac have been reported as moving in the di- !
rection Of the point attacked. General cOnsterna-
ton prevails. The fact that, notwithstanding the
severity of the tempest, and that probably some /
Of them, d1uv
on the Government by Spectators and peculators,
have perished been disabled the fleet has effect
ed q successful landing, and the Union flag waves
over Beaufort, and the whole island of Port Royal
augers well for tht navsi campaign so suspiciously
begun.


The rumor that the disOmbarked forces were
marching on Charleston or that they have as yet .
moved beyond the limits of Port Royal, is highly
improbable. 1t was no part of the programme, and
il would be folly to make an advance either upon
Charleston or Savannah with so small force
though it is not impossible that feint was made on
Charleston by portion Of the fleet, in order to d-
vert attention from the real object Of attack, and
divide the fire and distract the forces Of the
my.


The troops landed at Beaufort viii fortfy their
position and, having obtained reinforcements will
make it q starting point against the heart of the re-
bellOn at another day. BesufOrt will become cot
ton port situated it is in the midst of the Sea Is
land cotton district and the Union men of the South
will be glad to send shipments there when they
are liberated from the thraldom Of the lnsurgent
chiefs.


Nor is this the only naval expedition against the
rebel States There are two or three others now !
being fitted out. which viii be equally successful,
and in the course Of six weeks or two months one
hundred thousand men will occupy all the import
ant points on the coast not, perhaps, to make an
advance into the interior Just now, but sSfe bs
ses for future operations and as outlets for the
produce of Southern loyalsts and the interchange
of Northern commodities. With Fortress Monroe, .
Hatteras. Beaufort, Pensacola, Key West and the .
other places to be seized and occupied possession
Of the Federal army and navy, the rebels will be
surrounded by a Gordon of military posts which
will not only completely cut off their external com
munication, but threaten 80 many vital points at
the same time that their grand army will be broken
I'D into fragments and rendered powerless without
blow; and then the time viii have come for afor>
ward movement upon Richmond and the other cap
itas of the rebellious States.


Thus with the arrangements just made by the
Government to permit Northern merchants to trade
under special license with the Union men of the
South, through the ports held by our arms with the
appointment Of such generals Buell. to Kentucky