squirrels cooked for supper, of which we ate heartily, for we were very
hungry. This was the last supper I ate aboard the Valley City.

The following morning, Wednesday, May 24, at 5:30 o'clock, I was
relieved by Acting Assistant Surgeon L. W. Loring, and ordered North on
a two months leave of absence; and now I am to say farewell to the
officers and crew of the Valley City, with whom I have shared their
dangers, their sorrows and their joys, and the old ship I am also to
leave, which has buoyed us so safely over the short and rugged waves of
the waters of North Carolina, amidst the torpedoes, the sharpshooters,
and the artillery of the enemy. This is certainly an occasion of joy,
yet mingled with sadness. "Farewell is a word that has been, a word
that must be, a sound which makes us linger--yet we must say,
farewell."

HOMEWARD BOUND.

I went aboard the Eolus, which proceeded up the Roanoke river, and at
4:30 p.m. we met the Cotton Plant, with Commander W. H. Macomb aboard,
eight miles below Halifax. The Eolus, with the Cotton Plant, returned
to Edward's Ferry, where we arrived at 7 p.m. I went ashore. This
place, which is a large plantation, and was owned by Mr. Wm. Smith, who
owns, or did own, quite a number of slaves, who worked the plantation.
At this time the slaves were cultivating corn. The male slaves, with
hoes to hoe the corn, followed after the female slaves, who drove the
horses and directed the cultivators or ploughs. The rebel ram Albemarle
was constructed at Edward's Ferry, and there was another ram or
iron-clad in process of construction at this place; but it was
destroyed by the rebels at the close of the war. I saw the landing
where these rams were constructed; the chips from them could be seen
lying all around.

Thursday, May 25.--We left Edward's Ferry at 10 a.m., and at 8 p.m. the
Eolus came to an anchor near Poplar Point, where we visited the graves
of those who had been killed in the late action at this place.

Friday, May 26.--The Eolus, with Commander W. H. Macomb on board, got
under weigh and steamed to Plymouth, where we arrived at 12 m.
Commander W. H. Macomb went aboard his own vessel, the Shamrock. At 8
p.m. the Eolus got under weigh and steamed towards Roanoke Island, and
came to an anchor at 12 p.m. in Albemarle Sound.

Saturday, May 27, at 4-1/2 a.m., the Eolus got under weigh and
proceeded to Roanoke Island, where we arrived at 7:15 a.m. At 2-1/2
p.m. I took passage in the bo