o'clock p.m., when it was relieved by another watch, which would remain
on duty until 8 o'clock p.m., when this watch was again relieved by
another watch, which would remain on duty four hours, or until 12
o'clock p.m.
It would be an officer's duty on arriving aboard his own or another
vessel, to salute the quarter-deck by taking off his hat, even if there
were nobody on the deck. All who were on the deck would return the
salute also, by taking their hats off. An officer arriving on board his
own vessel would always report to the captain of the vessel, as
follows: "Captain, I report myself aboard, sir." The captain would
reply: "Aye, aye, sir."
Some very dark nights the Captain, in order to time the crew and
officers of the Valley City in getting to their quarters, would spring
the rattle for general quarters; and such a time there would be in
getting out of our berths, and going to general quarters! The whole
affair would be very amusing, and sometimes ridiculous.
The small boats attached to a man-of-war are the Captain's gig, dingy,
cutters and launches. The man who guides or commands one of these small
boats is known as the coxswain. A small boat is manned by seven to
fifteen men, according to the size of the boat. The coxswain's command,
if he wants to turn sharp to the left or port, is "Hold water port,
give way strong starboard." If he wishes to turn sharp to the right or
starboard, his command would be, "Hold water starboard, give way strong
port." In rowing alongside of a vessel, when the boat had sufficient
headway to carry it alongside, the coxswain commands the men to drop
their oars. There are many other commands given by the coxswain, but it
is unnecessary to name them in this place.
It is a very beautiful sight to see a boat rowed by fourteen trained
men, all dressed similarly.
Saturday, December 31, at 2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded up the Chowan river. We arrived in sight of Winton, when the
Valley City returned down the river and anchored for the night. Sunday,
January 1, 1865, at 4 o'clock p.m., we steamed down the river, and at
5-1/2 o'clock p.m. we anchored off Edenton and went ashore. The weather
is cold and windy.
Tuesday, January 3d, 1865, the Valley City, at 10-1/2 o'clock a.m.,
weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where she arrived at 1 p.m.
At 8 p.m., left Plymouth and proceeded to off Edenton, where we arrived
at 10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 4th, 1865, we left Edenton at 7 a.m., and arrived at
Plymouth at 9-1/2 a.m. Mr. Stevens is aboard. The weather is cold.
Saturday, January 7.--During the week the Valley City has been cruising
up Chowan river, Simon's Creek, and around Edenton Bay, watching for
the Philadelphia, a blockade runner. Captain Brooks, Paymaster Sands
and I, frequently went ashore at Edenton. The weather during the week
has been mild, moist and rainy.
Sunday, January 8, at 5 a.m., we proceeded from Chowan River to Edenton
Bay, where we arrived at 7 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Master
James G. Green, Paymaster Sands and I, went ashore and took dinner with
Mr. Samuel B. At 6 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to the mouth
of Chowan River. The weather is cold.
Monday, January 9.--The weather is delightful. We lay during the day at
the mouth of Chowan River. Tuesday, January 10th, at 5 a.m., the Valley
City got under weigh and proceeded up to Poole's Landing, on the Chowan
River. At 11:45 a.m., we discovered the Philadelphia. We immediately
steamed toward her, and at 12:15 p.m., Mr. Milton Webster, executive
officer, took a launch with a crew of men and boarded the Philadelphia,
which was laying near Colerain, with a cargo of 257 bales of cotton,
and tobacco. At 1 p.m. we got under weigh, with the Philadelphia in
tow, and proceeded to Plymouth. At 5 p.m., we anchored at the mouth of
Roanoke River. The weather is raining and blustering, accompanied with
thunder and lightning.
Wednesday, January 11th, at 8 a.m., we weighed anchor and proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 9-1/2 a.m. At 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City
got under weigh and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at 3:25 p.m.
Captain Brooks, J. W. Sands and I, went ashore, and called on Mr.
Samuel B. At 5:30 p.m. we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth,
where we arrived at 8 p.m. The weather is cold but pleasant. At 9 p.m.,
we left Plymouth and proceeded up Chowan River.
Thursday, January 12.--The Valley City came to anchor at 1 a.m., at
Holly's Island. At 6 a.m. we got under weigh and proceeded up Chowan
river. At 7:30 a.m. we came to anchor off "Camp Winfield." Mr. Milton
Webster went ashore, and in company with Mr. Winslow, they traveled
seven miles into the country, and returned safely at 1 p.m., with Mr.
Winslow and his brother. In the meantime, Captain Brooks, Paymaster
Sands and crew went ashore, and captured several bales of cotton. We
arrived at Edenton at 7 p.m. Captain Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands, Mr.
Cannon, and Messrs. Winslows, went ashore. The weather is delightful.
Friday, January 13.--At 6:20 a.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 8:20 a.m. The weather is beautiful. I
spent nearly all day ashore. At 7 p.m. we got under weigh, and
proceeded toward Roanoke Island. Saturday, January 14, at 2 a.m., we
anchored in Albemarle Sound, and at 8 a.m. we arrived at Roanoke
Island. The weather is windy. Sunday, January 15, the Valley City got
under weigh at 4 o'clock p.m., and proceeded toward Plymouth. Mr.
O'Neill, acting master's mate, was very severely injured by a hawser to
which the schooner was fastened in tow, slipping on a kevel. The
weather is windy, and the Sounds are rough. Monday, January 16, we
arrived at Plymouth at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, January 17.--We got under weigh at 11 a.m., and proceeded to
Edenton, where we arrived at 12:30 p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting
Master James G. Green, J. W. Sands and I went ashore and took tea at
Mr. Samuel B----'s. We spent a very pleasant time. Mr. Skinner, D.D.,
was present. At 8 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to Chowan
river, and came to anchor at 9:25 p.m. for the night. The weather is
delightful. Wednesday, January 18, at 5 a.m. we got under weigh, and
proceeded to Holly's Landing, where we anchored at 7 a.m.
Thursday, January 19, at 9 a.m., we got under weigh, and proceeded to
Edenton, where we arrived at 12 m. In the afternoon I attended the
marriage of Acting Master James G. Green and Miss Cornelia B----, which
took place at Mr. Samuel B----'s, the father of the bride. There were
quite a number of the fleet's officers present. At 8 p.m., the Valley
City proceeded towards Roanoke Island, with the bride and groom and the
bride's two sisters and cousin aboard.
Friday, January 20, at 1:30 a.m., we came to anchor, and at 8:30 a.m.
we got under weigh, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 21st, 1865, I went ashore at Roanoke Island. The
weather is rainy, foggy, and windy. Monday, January 23, at 2 p.m., we
got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived in the
evening. The night is dark and foggy. Tuesday, January 24, the Valley
City arrived at Edenton, and landed the sisters and cousin of the
bride, Acting Master James G. Green and his wife having proceeded from
Roanoke Island north, on a short tour.
Saturday, January 28, 1865.--At 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh
and proceeded to Colerain, where we arrived at 10 a.m. The weather has
been extraordinarily cold the last three days.
Wednesday, February 1.--The weather has moderated and is pleasant. The
Valley City is laying here for the purpose of protecting the troops
ashore, commanded by Colonel Frankle, and for that purpose we shell the
woods occasionally. The boat Alison ran against a snag here and was
sunk, and is now being raised.
Saturday, February 4.--At 5-1/2 p.m., we got under weigh with boat
Alison in tow, which had been previously raised so as to be buoyed up
by two schooners, and arrived at Edenton Sunday, February 5, at 2 a.m.,
where we anchored the Alison, and at 11 a.m. we proceeded to Plymouth;
but at the mouth of Middle river we were met by the tug Belle, from
which we received orders to return to Edenton, to tow the Alison to
Plymouth. We arrived at Edenton at 3 p.m., and at 7 p.m. the officers
and two boats' crews went ashore. At 9 p.m. we took the Alison in tow,
and arrived at the mouth of Roanoke river, where we anchored at 2 a.m.,
Monday, February 6. There is a rise in the Roanoke river, and its
current is very swift, so that the Valley City could make but little
headway up the river.
Thursday, February 9, at 9-1/4 a.m., proceeded to Plymouth, where we
arrived at 9-3/4 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, at 12 m., we weighed anchor
and proceeded to Salmon's creek, where we arrived at 2:10 p.m. Here
there were a number of contrabands and their effects taken on board.
One of the contrabands stated she was 112 years of age, and had seen
Washington in her early life; she is apparently very old. At 10 p.m., a
boat, with a rebel soldier and two old men, with bacon, beef and fowls,
were hailed, and the men and their effects were brought on board the
Valley City.
Wednesday, February 22d, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded toward Plymouth. At 7 a.m., we came to an anchor off Walnut
Point, and took on board more contrabands, and at 10 a.m. we proceeded
to Plymouth, where we arrived at 11:20 a.m. At 3 p.m. we got under
weigh, and arrived at Edenton at 5 p.m. I went ashore with Captain J.
A. J. Brooks, and called on Mr. Samuel B----. The fleet at Plymouth
fired a salute in commemoration of the birth of Washington.
Thursday, February 23d, at 3 a.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to
the mouth of Chowan river, and returned to Edenton, where we arrived at
8 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks and I went ashore, and called on Messrs.
Samuel B----, Henry B----, and Mr. M----. In the afternoon, we interred
Matthew Sheridan, landsman, who had died of typhus fever. At 5 p.m. we
returned to ship and got under weigh and proceeded down the Albemarle
Sound to Laurel Point, where we arrived at 9 p.m., and anchored. The
weather is pleasant.
Saturday, February 25, at 5-1/2 a.m., got under weigh and proceeded to
the mouth of Little Alligator river, where we arrived and anchored at
9-1/4 a.m.
Sunday, February 26, at 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed toward Roanoke Island, in pursuit of a schooner which was
supposed to be running the blockade; but upon boarding her, it was
found she had permission to trade with the inhabitants in that
vicinity. At 6 p.m., we came to an anchor at the mouth of Alligator
river.
Monday, February 27, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed up the Alligator river to Chincapin Ridge, where Captain J. A.
J. Brooks, Acting Master's Mate O'Neill, and myself, with two crews of
men, fourteen in number, went ashore and marched three miles into the
country, through pines and cypresses. Along the road we put up a mark
on a tree and fired at it; and although I was not an expert marksman, I
put a ball nearest the mark. We finally came to a house occupied by a
man and his wife and their children, who were very poor. The house was
illy furnished, and had only one apartment. The appearance of it,
inside or outside, was not very inviting. Captain J. A. J. Brooks asked
the man whether he could provide dinner for the party. He demurred at
first, but finally agreed to provide such a dinner as the viands in the
house would permit of. All the party were very hungry, and were glad to
have the opportunity of sitting down to any sort of a dinner. The woman
went to work to cook a dinner. In the meantime, the officers, men, and
host, employed themselves in shooting at a mark. During this time the
host told us the war had been a benefit to him, in so far as it had
made a temperance man of him. Before the war, he said, he had been an
immoderate drinker of intoxicating liquors, but now he was temperate
from necessity, as he could get nothing stronger than water to drink.
Dinner was soon announced. It was set on a table about two feet square,
without a tablecloth. Our dinner consisted of bacon, corn bread, and
coffee made from corn. Only four could be seated at the same time
around the table, consequently there were five successive tables
served, occupying altogether about two hours in eating. We all enjoyed
the dinner, as we were very hungry from traveling through the pines.
After remunerating our host in a substantial way and thanking him for
his hospitality, we returned to the vessel.
Tuesday, February 28.--The Valley City got under weigh at 9 a.m., and
arrived at Roanoke Island at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at 7 p.m.,
we weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth. At 10 p.m., we got aground
near Croatan Sound. Thursday, March 2, at 5-1/2 o'clock a.m., we got
under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 2 p.m. We
brought with us as passengers Messrs. Douglass and Winslow, from
Roanoke Island.
Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m., we proceeded to the mouth of Roanoke
river, for the purpose of towing a coal schooner to Plymouth. We
arrived at Plymouth at 3-1/2 p.m. The weather has been very warm.
Wednesday, March 8, at 8 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to
Roanoke Island, where we arrived the following day at 6-1/2 a.m. Mr.
Harris, Second Assistant Engineer, and I, went ashore.
Friday, March 10, at 9-1/2 a.m., we got under weigh, and at 1 p.m.
anchored in Albemarle Sound. As the Valley City was steaming toward
Plymouth, suddenly and unexpectedly a heavy squall came up, and tossed
the Valley City about so much that we were fearful she might be
capsized. The guns were not made fast at the time. The officers had
just sat down to dinner as the Valley City commenced rolling and
pitching tremendously. First we endeavored to save the contents of the
dinner table; finally this effort was abandoned in order to save
ourselves. We were tossed about the ward-room in an uncomfortable
manner. The contents of the dinner table went to the floor and were
lost, and to mend matters the Valley City got into the "trough of the
sea." The howitzers and ammunition above our heads on the poop deck,
were being tossed from side to side, and so were also the large guns on
the gun deck. The line officers and crew were soon engaged in getting
the Valley City out of the "trough of the sea," and securing her guns
by making them fast. The gale continued about a half hour, after which
the Valley City steamed quietly to Plymouth. On Saturday, March 11, at
11:20 a.m., we anchored off Edenton, and at 4:35 p.m., proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15, the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded to
the blockade above Plymouth. Monday, March 20, the Valley City got
under weigh and proceeded to the mouth of the Cashie river, where we
arrived at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, the Valley City got under weigh
and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 3-1/2 p.m. At 4-1/2
p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at
6-1/2 p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands, Major
Willis, Mr. Tiffing and myself, went ashore. Friday, March 24, at 5
p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at
7 p.m. The weather is beautiful. Saturday, March 25, at 1-1/2 p.m.,
Commander Macomb came aboard, and the Valley City proceeded toward
Newbern. At 8-1/2 p.m., we anchored in Croatan Sound. Sunday, March 26,
at 5-1/2 a.m., we got under weigh, and at 7-1/2 a.m. we came to anchor.
At 10-1/4 a.m. we got under weigh and proceeded to Newbern, where we
arrived the following day at 1 a.m.
Friday, March 31, at 3 o'clock, a.m., we left Newbern, with Commander
Macomb still aboard, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 5-3/4 p.m. At 7
p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded as far as Croatan Sound, where
we got aground, and stuck fast till the following day, when at 12-1/2
a.m. we got afloat, and anchored till 5 a.m., when we proceeded to
Plymouth, where we arrived at 2 p.m. Commander Macomb went on board his
own ship, the Shamrock. At 4-1/2 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded
by way of Albemarle Sound and Chowan river to Winton, and then up
Meherrin river to Murfreesborough, N.C., in company with the U.S.
Steamers Shamrock, Wyalusing, and Hunchback. We dragged the Meherrin
river for torpedoes from Winton to Murfreesborough, but found none,
arriving at Murfreesborough on Monday, April 3, at 6:35 p.m.
Murfreesborough is a small, beautifully-located town, on a high plateau
of ground on the right bank of the Meherrin river, surrounded by woods.
There were two female seminaries in the place, one a Baptist, the other
a Methodist. The people were intelligent, but very much interested in
the success of the Confederacy. This place was opened up by the fleet
for the purpose of being a depot of supply for Sherman's army, and was
intended to be the next point of landing after Sherman left Raleigh. In
Murfreesborough there were about one thousand rebels, who gave us great
annoyance till they were finally captured by the 3d New York cavalry.
On the following Tuesday, April 4, Acting Ensign Milton Webster and
myself went ashore for the purpose of ascertaining the whereabouts of
Paymaster J. W. Sands, who had previously gone ashore. At a point
midway between the cliff of the river and the town, we met a colored
man who told us we had better be careful, as there were rebel cavalry
in the town. We then went away from the town in a line parallel with
the river, across a ravine which was at right angles with the river.
Just as we had crossed the ravine, we saw the rebel cavalry coming down
on the opposite side. We took to our heels and ran under fire till we
got to the woods, and thence to the fleet. When we arrived aboard the
Valley City, we found that Paymaster Sands had returned on board, and
had taken about the same route ashore as we had.
On Wednesday, April 5, the marines were put in line and marched into
the town under cover of the fleet; but as they marched in the rebels
marched out. Acting Ensign J. B. Fairchilds was very seriously wounded
by an accidental discharge of his own pistol before starting.
On Thursday, April 6, several officers and men of the fleet were
ashore, but did not go into the town. In the afternoon many of our men
approached near the city, where the rebel cavalry could be seen
plainly. Paymaster J. W. Sands and I had walked about one-half the
distance from the river towards the town, when we saw the rebel
cavalry. We then returned nearer the river, to a cabin in which two
very old colored people lived, in the rear of a large log on which
Captain J. A. J. Brooks was standing, we both went into the cabin.
After a few minutes' stay there in conversation with the colored
people, I happened to look out of the window and saw the officers and
men of the fleet running. I immediately said to Paymaster Sands, "The
rebels are coming!" Then we ran out of the cabin under fire down toward
the fleet. The bullets fell all around me as I was running, and just as
I came to a path which led down the cliff, on which a lot of scrub oak
was growing, the fleet opened fire, and the branches of the trees over
my head were cut by the flying shells. I immediately fell out of range
_of the shells_, and took an unfrequented path which led to the mouth
of the ravine. I soon arrived at the mouth of the ravine, near by the
river. Meantime the fleet was keeping up a rapid fire. The remainder of
the officers and men came down, but soon learned our supposed enemy was
the 3d New York cavalry, who also thought we were Confederates. This
cavalry force had made a raid from Weldon, and had approached the town
from the opposite side from where the fleet was laying, and in so doing
captured the rebel cavalry in the town of Murfreesborough. There was
fortunately nobody injured. The horses of the cavalry were covered with
foam and very much heated--so much so that the saddles were taken from
their backs, and they were led around for an hour before they cooled
off.
The same afternoon, after the third New York cavalry had arrived, many
of the officers of the fleet, feeling they might visit the town with
impunity, did so. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Lieutenant Joseph P. Fyffe
of the Hunchback, James M. Battin, chief engineer of the Valley City,
Paymaster J. W. Sands and myself, by invitation, took tea with a Mr.
C---- of the place.
The next morning, Thursday, April 6, the third New York cavalry marched
through the main street and left the town. All the windows of the
houses on the main street were closed, and none of their occupants were
to be seen. This was done in contempt for the Federal troops. After our
cavalry had departed, the officers and the marines returned to the
fleet, and at 4:15 p.m. got under weigh, and arrived off Winton at 10
p.m., where the fleet remained for some time.
Wednesday, April 10, at 12 m., the Valley City got under weigh and
proceeded by way of Edenton to Plymouth, where we arrived at 2:15 a.m.
the following day. At 3:05 a.m. we got under weigh and returned to
Winton, where we arrived at 12 m. At this point and time we first
heard, through the New York _Herald_, that the Confederate troops under
General Lee had been driven from Petersburg by the Federal troops under
General U.S. Grant. There was great rejoicing aboard the fleet. The
U.S. steamers Shamrock, Wyalusing and Hunchback, fired a salute in
celebration of that event. At 3-1/2 p.m. the U.S. steamers Valley City
and Whitehead proceeded to Murfreesborough, where we arrived at 6-1/2
p.m.
Friday, April 14, at 7:50 a.m., the Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh, and proceeded down to Winton, where we met the Wilderness, with
Commander Wm. H. Macomb and Lieutenant Commander Earl English aboard,
when we received the news that the Confederate forces under General Lee
had surrendered to General Grant.
The U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead were ordered to proceed to
Murfreesborough and deliver the news to the citizens at that place; and
now, after having read a copy of the New York _Herald_, they were
thoroughly convinced that the war was over. Saturday, April 15, at
11:45 a.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead got under weigh
and proceeded to Winton, where we arrived at 7:55 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18, we first received news of President Lincoln's
assassination, which event cast a gloom over the entire nation. At
12:45 p.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh and proceeded up the Chowan river to Blackwater river, up which
we steamed to Franklin, Virginia, where we arrived at 8 a.m. the
following day. We visited the people ashore at different times during
our stay at that place. Thursday, April 20, at 8-1/2 a.m., the Valley
City and Whitehead got under weigh, and proceeded down the Blackwater
river to Chowan river, down which we steamed to its mouth, where we
anchored.
There are a great many fish in the Chowan river, and the Valley City
has often caught shad and herring by the barrel, in a large seine which
the inhabitants of that vicinity use for the purpose.
Saturday, April 22, at 4:25 a.m., the U.S. steamers Valley City and
Whitehead got under weigh, and at 8:30 a.m. arrived at Plymouth, where
we anchored. At 3:20 p.m., the Valley City and Whitehead got under
weigh, and arrived at Edenton at 5:30 p.m., and at 11 p.m. the Valley
City and Whitehead got under weigh and steamed toward Hertford, N.C.,
where we arrived on Sunday, April 23, at 7-1/2 a.m. At 10 a.m. the
officers of the two vessels in full uniform went to an Episcopal
service held in a church in Hertford. The members of the congregation
were sparsely scattered on seats throughout the church. Upon the
officers entering and occupying two pews on the left hand side of the
church, that portion of the congregation occupying the same range of
seats as ourselves very abruptly and hurriedly sought seats on the
other side. After listening to a sermon which was nervously delivered,
we quietly and orderly returned aboard our respective vessels.