arrived there. Three
schooners were loaded with shingles. On the 21st, the United States
steamers Valley City, Ceres, and Ella May, proceeded down Pungo river
with the three schooners laden with shingles in tow. On the 22d, we
anchored in Pamlico Sound. At 8 a.m. we proceeded towards Newbern,
where we arrived with the schooners in tow at 8 p.m.

On July 4th, the Valley City, in commemoration of the anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence, fired twenty-one guns, and a copy of
the Declaration of Independence was read to the officers and crew of
the Valley City by Captain J. A. J. Brooks. On the 5th, the Valley City
got under weigh, and proceeded towards Tar river, and on the 6th
arrived and anchored off Maule's Point. On the 10th, the Valley City
got under weigh and proceeded to Bath, where an armed force was landed,
and captured John Taylor, Company G, 62d Georgia cavalry. In trying to
make his escape, he jumped from a buggy which was drawn by a horse in
rapid flight, and in doing so injured his knee, so that he was unable
to walk for five weeks. On the fly-leaf of a Bible which I loaned him
to read in his leisure hours, he wrote:

"May peace and happiness attend thee, and Heaven's richest
blessings crown thee ever more. When this you see, remember me.

"Your most obedient servant,

"JOHN TAYLOR.

"_Houstin City, Ga., July, 1864._"

At about 10 p.m. of the same day, July 10, another armed party of men
was landed with the intention of capturing some Confederate pickets,
but did not succeed. Bath, N. C, is a very small place on the left bank
of the Tar river, at the junction of Bath creek, about ten miles below
Washington. The place was built of frame principally. The people of the
place were rather intelligent.

July 13.--The Valley City got under weigh, and proceeded down Tar river
to Durham's creek, and sent a party out to fish; afterwards she steamed
down the river, and anchored off North creek, and there brought a boat
to, which had permission from the Federal Government to trade with the
loyal people of Beaufort county, N.C. On the 14th, got under weigh and
steamed over to South creek; from thence down to the mouth of Tar
river, and anchored. On the 15th, the Valley City proceeded to off
Maule's Point and anchored. Mrs. Daniels and her two children, with her
sister-in-law, came aboard. On the 19th, the U.S. steamer Louisiana
hove in sight. The Valley City proceeded to the mouth of t