864, when General U.S. Grant was shortening his lines
around Petersburg, it was his policy to have every man, both in the
army and navy, employed, in order to draw off as many as possible from
General Lee's forces at Petersburg. Accordingly, for the purpose of
capturing Rainbow Bluff, the fleet composed of the United States
steamers Wyalusing, Otsego, General Berry, Bazeley, Valley City,
Chicopee, tug Belle, and the picket launch No. 5, weighed anchor at 5
p.m., December 9, 1864, and proceeded up the Roanoke river, with
Commander W. H. Macomb on board the Wyalusing leading, the Valley City
second, and the Otsego third, followed by the Chicopee, Bazeley,
General Berry, tug Belle, and the steam launch No. 5.

Commander Macomb was informed by what he supposed was reliable
authority that there were no torpedoes in the river from Plymouth to
above Jamesville, twelve miles up the river. A fortunate occurrence for
the Valley City took place on our passage to Jamesville. The engine of
the Valley City gave out, and the engineer slowed up and repaired the
damage, the Otsego in the meantime passing on ahead. By this
circumstance the Valley City became third, and the Otsego second. We
arrived off Jamesville about 9 p.m. The Wyalusing signaled the fleet to
come to anchor, and just as the fleet was slowing up previously to
anchoring, we heard a loud report, the concussion of which shook the
Valley City, which was a short distance off, as if there were an
earthquake in the locality. Presently it was reported that the Otsego
was lost, two torpedoes, one before and the other aft, striking her
simultaneously, and sinking her to the bottom of the river. From some
fortunate occurrence, the Wyalusing had passed safely over the place
where the Otsego was blown up.

On the following day, December 10, there was found to be a perfect nest
of torpedoes in the river off Jamesville, and while passing near by the
wreck of the Otsego, the Bazeley was blown literally to pieces, Captain
Aimes, in command of her, and the pilot and also paymaster, Louis
Sands, of the Shamrock, were in the pilot-house at the time the
explosion took place, and were blown with the pilot-house about thirty
feet into the air, and alighted in the river unhurt. William C.
Rossell, a lad, and John Gerrard, first-class boy, were killed. Captain
Aimes then immediately reported to Commander Macomb that "the Bazeley
is gone up," but by that time she had gone down.

The Roanoke r