d 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