Commander Macomb now gave the Valley City orders to proceed down the river cautiously, and have the river dredged in our rear. For a short distance Captain J. A. J. Brooks had the men in cutters, dredging the river; but after consulting his executive officer, Milton Webster, Acting Assistant Paymaster J. W. Sands and myself, as to the propriety of steaming down the river without dredging it, it was agreed upon to call the dredge-boats in, and we proceeded down the river, shelling the woods on right bank of the river and then came to an anchor above Williamston.
Friday, December 23.—The Valley City continued steaming down the river, and anchored off Williamston at 12 m. At 1 p.m. she weighed anchor and steamed to off Jamesville, where she arrived at 5 p.m., the remainder of the fleet following close in our rear.
On Saturday, December 24, the Valley City proceeded two miles up the river to tug the Chicopee off, which had got transversely across the river, preventing the fleet behind her from descending. The Valley City returned and anchored off Jamesville at 10 o'clock a.m. The fleet is all now anchored off Jamesville, and is engaged in destroying the wreck of the Otsego. During this expedition I never had my clothes or shoes off.
On Thursday, December 29, at 11½ o'clock a.m. the Valley City weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 12½ p.m.
[Published in the New York Herald of January 9, 1865.]
NEWBERN.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE EXPEDITION
UP ROANOKE RIVER.
THE FLEET REACHES POPLAR POINT.
FROM OUR NEWBERN (N.C.) CORRESPONDENT.
Newbern, N.C. December 27, 1864.
The expedition that left Plymouth, N.C., on the 9th instant, has returned and anchored off Jamesville, Roanoke river, having by arduous labor accomplished results that reflect great credit upon the commanding officer and his subordinates.
ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION.