uld be heard at
Washington from either of the other two places.

Saturday, April 16, 1864, my diary states that Plymouth was attacked by
the Confederates. Firing continued every day till Tuesday, April 19,
1864, when the place fell into the hands of the Confederates.
Lieutenant-Commander Charles W. Flusser made a remark early in the
morning of April 19, 1864, that he would either sink the rebel ram
Albemarle before night, or he would be in ----. Captain Flusser
commanded the United States steamer Miami, and Captain French the
ill-fated Southfield. These two vessels had been lashed together at
their sterns early in the morning, for the purpose of inducing the
Albemarle to come between the vessels, and in this manner, if possible,
sink her. The rebel ram, early in the morning of April 19, came
floating down the Roanoke river with the current, past the batteries on
the right bank of the river above Plymouth, and bore down upon the
United States steamers Southfield and Bombshell, and sunk them. It is
supposed that Captain Flusser, in the excitement of the moment, exposed
himself unnecessarily, and was shot by a sharp-shooter from the
Albemarle. When it was noised among the Federal army and naval forces
at Plymouth that Flusser was killed, the Federal forces became more or
less demoralized, and the place fell into the hands of the
Confederates. Captain Flusser was a brave and daring officer. He was
interred in the cemetery at Newbern, and on a board that marked his
resting place, in the fall of 1864, was inscribed his name, and below
it, "Peace to his ashes."

On Wednesday, April 27, 1864, an attack was made by the Confederates on
Washington, N.C. There is great excitement among the residents of the
place, so that some of them are leaving by every possible route. We
hear the firing quite plain off Hill's Point. At 12 m. all is quiet.
Preparation is being made to evacuate Washington, N.C. The day is
beautiful. The ammunition of the army at this point has been put aboard
the Valley City for the purpose of conveying it to Newbern. The
thermometer stands 85 deg.. The Federal large guns on the forts outside of
Washington are being fired all day. The Valley City got under weigh,
proceeded down the river, and shelled the woods below Washington. There
were twenty-three shells from the 32-pounder guns fired, which burst
among the tree-tops.

Thursday, April 28, 1864.--This morning there were a few shots fired
from heavy guns by t