ts' 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 9-1/4 a.m., proceeded to Plymouth, where we
arrived at 9-3/4 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.

Saturday, February 25, at 5-1/2 a.m., got under weigh and proceeded to
the mouth of Little Alligator river, where we arrived and anchored at
9-1/4 a.m.

Sunday, February 26, at 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed toward Roanoke Island, in pursuit of a schooner which was
supposed to be running the blockade; but upon boarding her, it was
found she had permission to trade with the inhabitants in that
vicinity. At 6 p.m., we came to an anchor at the mouth of Alligator
river.

Monday, February 27, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and
steamed up the Alligator riv