r. Samuel B.'s family. At 5-1/2 o'clock
p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded towards Roanoke Island. At 12
p.m. we anchored. Early in the morning of the 7th, we steamed to off
Roanoke Island, where we arrived at 8 o'clock a.m. On the 8th there was
a breeze from the northwest, and the day was clear and beautiful. At 2
o'clock p.m., Paymaster J. W. Sands, Acting Master's mate John Maddock,
and myself, with six men, sailed in a small boat to Roanoke Island.
There was a heavy sea, and the wind was blowing quite a gale. We landed
at Roanoke Island, but did not remain long ashore before we took the
boat for the purpose of sailing back to the Valley City. We did not
succeed. We then took the sails down, and the men rowed us to the
vessel.

On the 9th, at 6 o'clock a.m., we got under weigh, and steamed up to
the mouth of the Alligator river, where we arrived at 9 o'clock a.m.
The Shamrock was lying close by. The weather was cold. At 1:30 o'clock
p.m., the Valley City proceeded up the Alligator river. At 7 p.m. we
anchored off Newport News. On the 10th, at 4 a.m., two armed boats'
crews were sent ashore on a reconnoitering expedition, but returned at
1 p.m. without accomplishing anything. At 2 p.m. the Valley City got
under weigh, and proceeded down Alligator river, and anchored at 3 p.m.
The weather is cool, and there was frost last night.

Thursday, October 11th, at 5 a.m., the launches were ordered up
Frying-pan river. At 10 a.m. I went with Captain J. A. J. Brooks in
pursuit of the launches, and after rowing about six miles we came in
sight of them. At 2-1/2 p.m. we returned with the launches. At 4 p.m.
the Valley City weighed anchor, and at 8 p.m. anchored in Albemarle
Sound. On the 12th, at 6 a.m., we got under weigh, and arrived at the
fleet at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m. we got under weigh, and at 10 a.m. arrived at
the mouth of Roanoke river. The ram was expected to come out to-day. On
the 15th, at 11-1/2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh, and arrived
off Edenton at 11-1/2 o'clock p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Paymaster
J. W. Sands, and Acting Master James G. Green, went ashore. At 5 p.m.
they returned, and the Valley City got under weigh, and proceeded to
the mouth of Roanoke river. The weather is cool and beautiful. At 10
a.m. of the 20th, I went aboard the Commodore Hull. At 12 m., returned
aboard the Valley City. At 9-1/2 p.m., the Valley City steamed to off
Edenton, to protect the tug Belle, which had got hard and fast