The Burnside fleet.
Col. Singletary's Reconnaissance.
the Federals 30,000 strong--175 vessels — where they are stationed — the report in Goldsboro', N. C. Petersburg, Jan. 28.
--The Newbern Progress, of yesterday, states that a portion of the Burnside or other Federal fleet is at Hatteras and in Pamlico Sound.
Col. Singletary, who commanded a reconnoitering expedition, informed the editor of the Progress that he arrived at Portsmouth, N. C., on Wednesday evening, after the storm set in, rendering it impossible to make observations himself, but he saw Samuel Tolson, Mr. Williams, and others, all reliable men, who had been applied to by the directors of the fleet, to act as pilots.
These gentlemen assured him that the fleet is at Hatteras, numbering 175 vessels.
They represented the Federal force at 30,000 strong, one-third of which was in the Sound on Tuesday; one-third in the Roads, and one-third was outside busy in lightening vessels over the Swash.
As they cleared the Roads by entering Pamlico, others would come from the outside.
They said the Yankees were anxious to get pilots for Croaten Sound and rivers, which induces the belief that Roanoke, Edenton, Washington and perhaps other places, east of Newbern are to be attacked.
It is rendered certain that Newborn is to be visited, from the fact that the vessels the Yankees were lightening over could not attack any other place but that.
He also learned from the Yankees that they had lost three vessels and three men since reaching Hatteras.
They also stated that New Orleans was to be attacked simultansously with the attack on the Sound.
The effect of the storm on Thursday and Friday upon the Yankees must have been severe.
Portsmouth was completely covered with water.
Nothing of the condition of the Yankee fleet has been learned later than Tuesday last.
The Goldsboro' Tribune, of today, says that a gentleman who left Portsmouth on Sunday morning states that on the day previous there were 95 vessels, sail and steamers, that could be seen at Hatteras from the lighthouse.
Ten or fifteen appeared to be aground.
Twenty vessels were in the Sound.
Only one steamer had steam up and appeared to be trying to get a stranded vessel off.
The pilots, who were released, and left Hatteras on Tuesday, the 21st, report that they were told that a regiment was missing, and it was feared was lost.
A vessel, with one hundred persons on board, had been cast ashore at Chickamacomico.
The Tribune says that the Burnside fleet is now on our coast, and its object is to assail us, and thinks that Newbern will be the first place that will be attacked. 