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 5½ 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 9¼ a.m., proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 9¾ 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.