me. At 3:40 p.m. we returned aboard, and proceeded to
our old anchorage at the mouth of Roanoke river. The weather was cloudy
and hazy. On Friday 23d, at 12-1/2 p.m., the ram Albemarle made her
appearance at the mouth of Roanoke river. We immediately fired our
signal gun, and got under weigh, and steamed towards the United States
steamer Otsego, commanded by Captain Arnold, which was anchored further
down the Albemarle Sound. As we passed the Otsego, Captain Arnold
ordered the Valley City to steam as rapidly as possible towards the
fleet, and the Otsego would follow after. We soon met the fleet
steaming towards the mouth of Roanoke river. The Valley City and Otsego
soon fell into line, and arrived at the mouth of Roanoke river. By this
time the ram had returned up the river. The fleet remained
reconnoitering at the mouth of the river till 6 p.m., when it returned
to its old anchorage. The appearance of the ram at the mouth of Roanoke
river caused some excitement aboard the fleet, for we were anxious to
have the ram come out into Albemarle Sound, so as to have a chance, if
possible, to sink her. On the 27th, at 11-1/2 a.m., the Valley City
steamed down to Edenton, and remained there two hours, and came back to
our old anchorage.

On the 29th, at 3-1/2 o'clock a.m., the Valley City weighed anchor, and
proceeded to and up Scuppernong river. At 11-1/2 o'clock a.m. we got
aground in a position transversely across the river, with the stern of
the vessel towards the left bank. About seven hundred yards distant on
the left bank of the river, in the bushes and wood, a concealed
Confederate battery was situated. In making an effort to get afloat,
the guns of the Valley City were run out of position, the decks were
crowded with hawsers and ropes, and the propeller had a hawser tangled
in it; so that the steamer was in a very helpless and dangerous
position. We were not aware that this battery was situated in the place
named till at 3-1/2 p.m. they opened fire on the Valley City, and
continued firing till half past 5 o'clock p.m. It was some time before
the Valley City could clear her decks and get into position to bring
the guns to bear on the enemy. In the meantime Commodore W. H. Macomb
sent orders to Captain J. A. J. Brooks to blow the Valley City up and
leave her as best we could; but when the Valley City got her guns to
bear on the enemy's battery, they were silenced at 5-1/2 p.m. The
shells and bullets from the Confederate b