ost her torpedo-fender.

December 22.--Last night we were again annoyed by musketry and
sharpshooters ashore. During the day, after burying the dead, the
Valley City dropped down below the fleet to arrange on her bows another
torpedo-fender. About 2:20 p.m. we heard loud whistling from steam
launch No. 5, which was bringing up the mail from Plymouth. I was
standing on the poop-deck, and through the bushes on the flat on the
inside of the bend I saw a regiment of rebels running towards the
launch, at the same time keeping up a rapid fire at her. The Valley
City dropped her torpedo-fender, steamed down, and after firing a few
shots of grape at the rebels, they retreated. In the meantime,
Commander W. H. Macomb learned that the rebels had been removing their
batteries that commanded the far stretch of the river to a point below
us, so as to command the near stretch, and if possible prevent our
returning down the river, and thereby capture the fleet. Matters were
becoming desperate, and Commander Macomb therefore determined to
retreat down the river. The Valley City was the first to go by the
rebel batteries, the remainder of the fleet keeping up a rapid fire at
them. The current of the river was so strong, and the bend under the
rebel batteries so sharp, that the Valley City whirled round like a
water-wheel, first striking the bow against the shore, and then the
stern. I was fearful we might be boarded. An attempt was also made to
fell trees on the fleet whilst passing. After the Valley City had
passed safely by the rebel batteries, she came to anchor, trained her
guns on the enemy, and in conjunction with the remainder of the fleet
above the bend of the river, kept up a rapid fire whilst a second
vessel passed; and thus one vessel of the fleet after another passed
safely around the turn of the river, under fire of the rebel batteries.

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