Valley City continued steaming down the
river, and anchored off Williamston at 12 m. At 1 p.m. she weighed
anchor and steamed to off Jamesville, where she arrived at 5 p.m., the
remainder of the fleet following close in our rear.
On Saturday, December 24, the Valley City proceeded two miles up the
river to tug the Chicopee off, which had got transversely across the
river, preventing the fleet behind her from descending. The Valley City
returned and anchored off Jamesville at 10 o'clock a.m. The fleet is
all now anchored off Jamesville, and is engaged in destroying the wreck
of the Otsego. During this expedition I never had my clothes or shoes
off.
On Thursday, December 29, at 11-1/2 o'clock a.m. the Valley City
weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 12-1/2
p.m.
[Published in the New York Herald of January 9, 1865.]
NEWBERN.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE EXPEDITION
UP ROANOKE RIVER.
THE FLEET REACHES POPLAR POINT.
FROM OUR NEWBERN (N.C.) CORRESPONDENT.
NEWBERN, N.C. DECEMBER 27, 1864.
The expedition that left Plymouth, N.C., on the 9th instant, has
returned and anchored off Jamesville, Roanoke river, having by
arduous labor accomplished results that reflect great credit upon
the commanding officer and his subordinates.
ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION.
The naval portion of this expedition sailed from Plymouth on the
evening of the 9th instant, in the following order: Wyalusing,
Lieutenant Commander Earl English, bearing the broad pennant of
Commander W. H. Macomb, commanding the fourth division of the North
Atlantic squadron; Valley City, Acting Master J. A. J. Brooks;
Otsego, Commander Arnold; Chicopee, Commander Hannell; Bazeley,
Acting Ensign Aimes; tug Belle, Acting Master Green; and the picket
launch No. 5, Acting Ensign Chapman. The Shamrock was to follow.
A land force commanded by Colonel Frankle had started from Plymouth
at daylight the same morning, to co-operate with the fleet.
THE OTSEGO DESTROYED BY A TORPEDO.
Without interruption, the squadron at 9 o'clock the same night
arrived at Jamesville, a small town above Plymouth some twelve
miles, when the signal to anchor was made from the flag-ship. The
night being dark, and the river flowing rapidly in its narrow
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