Semi Weekly Standard

The Burnside Expedition.

There can be no doubt that the recent storm has seriously damaged this expedition, yet our latest information, if anything can be relied on from the coast, is, that Burnside has at least 40 or 50 of his vessels in Pamlico Sound, and that he has ordered reinforcements and munitions to repair the damage of the storm. In a few days we may, therefore, expect him to attempt to carry out the designs of the expedition.

What are its designs? The size of the expedition clearly shows that it is not simply a marauding foray upon the good people of the Eastern counties. One-third of the force would have been amply sufficient for that purpose. Nor can we think the object is to attack New Bern, for the purpose of advancing into the country to seize Goldsboro' and get the control of our railroads. The Yankees are not quite such blockheads, and they are by far too cowardly to aim at a thing of that kind, with so little to be gained at such hazard.

We are satisfied from the size of the expedition, from the intimations of the Northern press, and from the importance of the stake, that the first object of the expedition is to take Roanoke Island, and immediately to push for the Seaboard Railroad to get in the rear of Norfolk. Let any one curious enough to know, take the map and trace the course of the Chowan and Nottoway rivers, and notice their contiguity to the Seaboard Railroad. How many troops have we on the Seaboard Road? How many near Franklin depot? How many at Suffolk? How many rangers on Chowan river to watch the advance of the enemy and give warning? What if General Wool from Fortress Monroe, were to make a simultaneous movement across James river and get possession of the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad?—

What, we ask, would be the condition of Norfolk, if the enemy were to get possession of those two Roads?

We are loth to speak out thus, but we have hinted and intimated, and we have talked privately, about the danger of such a movement, but as yet, so far as we know, we stand with our hands in our breeches pockets, waiting and waiting. The enemy no doubt fully understand this matter. The villain Foster, who knows all about these localities, was, at last accounts, with the fleet at Hatteras. Negroes are constantly eloping from Suffolk and Smithfield, and, perhaps, white emissaries with them to Fortress Monroe, who, doubtless are fully advised of our condition.

This, we believe, is the main design of the enemy. Should he be successful, it will be an easy matter, then, to carry out his marauding designs upon the Eastern Counties. When we think of the possibility of his despoiling and ruining our fellow citizens of those Counties, of the immense damage and loss to accrue to us by the taking of Roanoke Island, Hyde, Washington and New Bern, and then reflect how easily and at what small cost it might have been prevented, had the authorities done their duty, we are at a loss for terms to express our indignation at so wanton a sacrifice of the fairest portion of the State. May a benignant Providence still interpose to prevent so sad a calamity!

P. S. We have no information from the Burnside fleet, further than there are about 40 vessels in Pamlico Sound. The fleet has been much damaged but will pursue its design as soon as re-inforced.