he Tar river
with her, where we anchored.

After taking abroad our refugees, the Louisiana proceeded to Newbern.
On the 21st, at 7 o'clock a.m., the Valley City steamed for Newbern,
where she arrived at 4 p.m. On the evening of July 31, the Valley City
was ordered to proceed up the Trent river to guard that river in case
of an expected attack. August 4th, the Valley City was ordered down to
her old anchorage off Newbern. On the 5th, at 8 a.m., we weighed anchor
and proceeded down the Neuse river, through Pamlico Sound, and up the
Tar river, and at 6 p.m. relieved the U.S. steamer Louisiana. At 7
p.m., the Valley City anchored near the mouth of Bath creek. Mrs. Quin
and Mrs. Harris were brought with us from Newbern, and landed near Bath
creek.

On the 10th we weighed anchor and proceeded down the Tar river. At the
mouth of Bath creek, two shells were fired from the howitzers, at a
house where there were a number of Confederates. At 2 o'clock p.m. we
anchored in South creek. On the 11th, at 12 m., we weighed anchor and
proceeded to Pamlico light-house and anchored. On the 13th, at 4
o'clock a.m. we weighed anchor and proceeded to Brant Island
light-house in order to get the mail from the U.S. steamer Massasoit
that we expected to meet steaming near this point. At 1 o'clock p.m. we
weighed anchor and proceeded to above Maule's point, where we anchored
at 6 o'clock p.m. On the 18th, at 7 o'clock a.m., we weighed anchor and
proceeded down Tar river past Maule's Point, down by the mouth of Bath
creek, and down by South creek, where we anchored at 3 o'clock p.m.
During this cruise there have been eight refugees taken aboard. On the
19th, we weighed anchor, and proceeded to Maule's Point. On our way we
stopped at the mouth of Durham's creek. Captain J. A. J. Brooks and I
went ashore. At 6 p.m. we anchored at the mouth of Bath creek. In the
evening there was a heavy thunder-storm, accompanied with rain.

On the 20th, at 9-1/2 o'clock a.m., we were relieved by the United
States steamer Louisiana, and the Valley City was ordered to the
neighborhood of the mouth of Roanoke river, in Albemarle Sound, to join
the fleet composed of United States steamers Shamrock, Sassacus, Ceres,
Tacony, Chicopee, Mattabessett, and Wyalusing, to assist in watching
the Confederate ram Albemarle, which was stationed at Plymouth, which
is situated on the right bank of the Roanoke river, eight miles from
its mouth. We arrived at Roanoke Island at 12 m