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 5½ 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 10½ 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 9½ 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 9½ a.m. At 1½ 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.