"Hannah Turner born October 17th, about eleven o'clock in the
morning, 1796, and was baptized second Sunday in July following, by
the Rev. W. Joseph Gurley.
"George Turner departed this life August, 1801.
"David Turner was born September 2, 1738, and died May 17th, 1802,
in the 64th year of his age.
"My dear little Sarah and Hannah Turner both departed this life
March 15th, 1805.
"Elizabeth Turner departed this life May 17, 1822, aged 62 years, 4
months and 18 days.
"Thomas Turner died on the 6th day of January, 1847.
"All the forenamed persons, with the exception of the writer
hereof, are buried in the graveyard at the plantation whereon the
father, David Turner, and family lived, two and one-half miles west
of the town of Windsor."
No doubt the writer of the above is also dead, and time and the chances
of war may have scattered any remaining members of the family.
THE VALLEY CITY AND HER OFFICERS.
The officers of the U.S. Steamer Valley City were as follows: Acting
Master Commanding, John A. J. Brooks; Acting Ensign and Executive
Officer, Milton Webster; Acting Master's Mates, Charles F. O'Neill and
John Maddock; Acting Assistant Paymaster, J. Woodville Sands; Acting
Assistant Surgeon, John M. Batten; Engineers--Second Assistant in
charge, James M. Battin; Acting Third Assistant, John Minton; Acting
Master and Pilot, John A. Wilson.
Captain J. A. J. Brooks was a North Carolinian by birth, and was
acquainted with the waters and people of North Carolina. He was a
full-sized man of fine figure, 35 years of age, brown piercing eyes,
light hair, and in general appearance a fine-looking officer. He was
brave, and ever on the alert. Many nights whilst the Valley City was
laying at the mouth of Roanoke river watching for the rebel ram
Albemarle, I found Captain Brooks at all hours on deck--I often
wondered when he slept. In battle he was cool and brave. Under his
command the Valley City was considered, by the Confederates in that
vicinity, a terror to the waters of North Carolina.
It was on the Valley City, whilst in a fight at Elizabeth, N.C., a man
sat over the opened end of a barrel of powder to prevent it from being
ignited, after an enemy's shell had entered and exploded in the powder
magazine, and thus saved the vessel. The man was immediately promoted
to a gunner.
At many places to which the Valley City steamed, Captain Brooks woul
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