Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy Part 6

"Thomas Turner born July 18th, 1786, 4:30 afternoon; William Armistead Turner born December 13th, 1787, nine o'clock a.m. They were both baptized Sunday, August 2d, 1789, by the Rev. McDowell.

"George Turner born November 24th, about 5 o'clock in the morning, 1789, and baptized Sunday, twenty-first of February following, by the Rev. W. Blount.

"Sarah Turner born April 28th, fifty minutes after nine in the morning, 1791, and baptized November 27th, same year, by Rev. W.

Wilson.

"Mary Turner born November 8th, at eight o'clock in the morning, 1793, and baptized June 4th following, by Rev. Mr. Petigro, and died August 8th, 1794, some time between three and four o'clock, which was before day.

"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 a.s.sistant Paymaster, J. Woodville Sands; Acting a.s.sistant Surgeon, John M. Batten; Engineers--Second a.s.sistant in charge, James M. Battin; Acting Third a.s.sistant, 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 sh.e.l.l 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 would be anxious to ascertain how many Confederates there were in the locality. Upon asking some colored people, who were always a.s.sembled to greet us, how many rebels there were at a certain locality, they would make the following reply: "I don't know, sah; but dar is a right smaht number dar." Upon pressing them for a more definite answer they would repeat, "I don't know, ma.s.sa; but dar is a right smaht number dar."

The Valley City, and I believe all naval vessels, were directed to go ahead, fast, slow, or stop, or back fast or slow, by a bell hung in the engine room connected with the pilot-house by a wire which was pulled by the pilot. One bell was to start; two bells, go ahead slow; four bells, go ahead fast; and one bell to stop (that is when the vessel was in motion); three bells back; two bells, back slow; and four bells, back fast.

The time of day was noted by means of a bell, as follows: One bell, 12-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; two bells, 1 o'clock, p.m.; three bells, 1-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; four bells, 2 o'clock, p.m.; five bells, 2-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; six bells, 3 o'clock, p.m.; seven bells, 3-1/2 o'clock, p.m.; and eight bells, 4 o'clock, p, m.; then, one bell, 4-1/2 o'clock, p.m., and so on till 8 o'clock, p.m.; then, one bell, 8-1/2 o'clock, p.m., and so on till 12 o'clock, p.m.; thus the time during the first twelve hours of the following day was noted, and in the same way any succeeding twelve hours.

Each watch remained on duty four hours, say from 12 o'clock m. until 4 o'clock p.m., when it was relieved by another watch, which would remain on duty until 8 o'clock p.m., when this watch was again relieved by another watch, which would remain on duty four hours, or until 12 o'clock p.m.

It would be an officer's duty on arriving aboard his own or another vessel, to salute the quarter-deck by taking off his hat, even if there were n.o.body on the deck. All who were on the deck would return the salute also, by taking their hats off. An officer arriving on board his own vessel would always report to the captain of the vessel, as follows: "Captain, I report myself aboard, sir." The captain would reply: "Aye, aye, sir."

Some very dark nights the Captain, in order to time the crew and officers of the Valley City in getting to their quarters, would spring the rattle for general quarters; and such a time there would be in getting out of our berths, and going to general quarters! The whole affair would be very amusing, and sometimes ridiculous.

The small boats attached to a man-of-war are the Captain's gig, dingy, cutters and launches. The man who guides or commands one of these small boats is known as the c.o.xswain. A small boat is manned by seven to fifteen men, according to the size of the boat. The c.o.xswain's command, if he wants to turn sharp to the left or port, is "Hold water port, give way strong starboard." If he wishes to turn sharp to the right or starboard, his command would be, "Hold water starboard, give way strong port." In rowing alongside of a vessel, when the boat had sufficient headway to carry it alongside, the c.o.xswain commands the men to drop their oars. There are many other commands given by the c.o.xswain, but it is unnecessary to name them in this place.

It is a very beautiful sight to see a boat rowed by fourteen trained men, all dressed similarly.

Sat.u.r.day, December 31, at 2 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded up the Chowan river. We arrived in sight of Winton, when the Valley City returned down the river and anch.o.r.ed for the night. Sunday, January 1, 1865, at 4 o'clock p.m., we steamed down the river, and at 5-1/2 o'clock p.m. we anch.o.r.ed off Edenton and went ash.o.r.e. The weather is cold and windy.

Tuesday, January 3d, 1865, the Valley City, at 10-1/2 o'clock a.m., weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where she arrived at 1 p.m.

At 8 p.m., left Plymouth and proceeded to off Edenton, where we arrived at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, January 4th, 1865, we left Edenton at 7 a.m., and arrived at Plymouth at 9-1/2 a.m. Mr. Stevens is aboard. The weather is cold.

Sat.u.r.day, January 7.--During the week the Valley City has been cruising up Chowan river, Simon's Creek, and around Edenton Bay, watching for the Philadelphia, a blockade runner. Captain Brooks, Paymaster Sands and I, frequently went ash.o.r.e at Edenton. The weather during the week has been mild, moist and rainy.

Sunday, January 8, at 5 a.m., we proceeded from Chowan River to Edenton Bay, where we arrived at 7 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Master James G. Green, Paymaster Sands and I, went ash.o.r.e and took dinner with Mr. Samuel B. At 6 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to the mouth of Chowan River. The weather is cold.

Monday, January 9.--The weather is delightful. We lay during the day at the mouth of Chowan River. Tuesday, January 10th, at 5 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded up to Poole's Landing, on the Chowan River. At 11:45 a.m., we discovered the Philadelphia. We immediately steamed toward her, and at 12:15 p.m., Mr. Milton Webster, executive officer, took a launch with a crew of men and boarded the Philadelphia, which was laying near Colerain, with a cargo of 257 bales of cotton, and tobacco. At 1 p.m. we got under weigh, with the Philadelphia in tow, and proceeded to Plymouth. At 5 p.m., we anch.o.r.ed at the mouth of Roanoke River. The weather is raining and bl.u.s.tering, accompanied with thunder and lightning.

Wednesday, January 11th, at 8 a.m., we weighed anchor and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 9-1/2 a.m. At 1-1/2 p.m., the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at 3:25 p.m.

Captain Brooks, J. W. Sands and I, went ash.o.r.e, and called on Mr.

Samuel B. At 5:30 p.m. we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 8 p.m. The weather is cold but pleasant. At 9 p.m., we left Plymouth and proceeded up Chowan River.

Thursday, January 12.--The Valley City came to anchor at 1 a.m., at Holly's Island. At 6 a.m. we got under weigh and proceeded up Chowan river. At 7:30 a.m. we came to anchor off "Camp Winfield." Mr. Milton Webster went ash.o.r.e, and in company with Mr. Winslow, they traveled seven miles into the country, and returned safely at 1 p.m., with Mr.

Winslow and his brother. In the meantime, Captain Brooks, Paymaster Sands and crew went ash.o.r.e, and captured several bales of cotton. We arrived at Edenton at 7 p.m. Captain Brooks, Paymaster J. W. Sands, Mr.

Cannon, and Messrs. Winslows, went ash.o.r.e. The weather is delightful.

Friday, January 13.--At 6:20 a.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 8:20 a.m. The weather is beautiful. I spent nearly all day ash.o.r.e. At 7 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded toward Roanoke Island. Sat.u.r.day, January 14, at 2 a.m., we anch.o.r.ed in Albemarle Sound, and at 8 a.m. we arrived at Roanoke Island. The weather is windy. Sunday, January 15, the Valley City got under weigh at 4 o'clock p.m., and proceeded toward Plymouth. Mr.

O'Neill, acting master's mate, was very severely injured by a hawser to which the schooner was fastened in tow, slipping on a kevel. The weather is windy, and the Sounds are rough. Monday, January 16, we arrived at Plymouth at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, January 17.--We got under weigh at 11 a.m., and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at 12:30 p.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks, Acting Master James G. Green, J. W. Sands and I went ash.o.r.e and took tea at Mr. Samuel B----'s. We spent a very pleasant time. Mr. Skinner, D.D., was present. At 8 p.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to Chowan river, and came to anchor at 9:25 p.m. for the night. The weather is delightful. Wednesday, January 18, at 5 a.m. we got under weigh, and proceeded to Holly's Landing, where we anch.o.r.ed at 7 a.m.

Thursday, January 19, at 9 a.m., we got under weigh, and proceeded to Edenton, where we arrived at 12 m. In the afternoon I attended the marriage of Acting Master James G. Green and Miss Cornelia B----, which took place at Mr. Samuel B----'s, the father of the bride. There were quite a number of the fleet's officers present. At 8 p.m., the Valley City proceeded towards Roanoke Island, with the bride and groom and the bride's two sisters and cousin aboard.

Friday, January 20, at 1:30 a.m., we came to anchor, and at 8:30 a.m.

we got under weigh, and arrived at Roanoke Island at 11:30 a.m.

Sat.u.r.day, January 21st, 1865, I went ash.o.r.e at Roanoke Island. The weather is rainy, foggy, and windy. Monday, January 23, at 2 p.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived in the evening. The night is dark and foggy. Tuesday, January 24, the Valley City arrived at Edenton, and landed the sisters and cousin of the bride, Acting Master James G. Green and his wife having proceeded from Roanoke Island north, on a short tour.

Sat.u.r.day, January 28, 1865.--At 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded to Colerain, where we arrived at 10 a.m. The weather has been extraordinarily cold the last three days.

Wednesday, February 1.--The weather has moderated and is pleasant. The Valley City is laying here for the purpose of protecting the troops ash.o.r.e, commanded by Colonel Frankle, and for that purpose we sh.e.l.l the woods occasionally. The boat Alison ran against a snag here and was sunk, and is now being raised.

Sat.u.r.day, February 4.--At 5-1/2 p.m., we got under weigh with boat Alison in tow, which had been previously raised so as to be buoyed up by two schooners, and arrived at Edenton Sunday, February 5, at 2 a.m., where we anch.o.r.ed the Alison, and at 11 a.m. we proceeded to Plymouth; but at the mouth of Middle river we were met by the tug Belle, from which we received orders to return to Edenton, to tow the Alison to Plymouth. We arrived at Edenton at 3 p.m., and at 7 p.m. the officers and two boats' crews went ash.o.r.e. At 9 p.m. we took the Alison in tow, and arrived at the mouth of Roanoke river, where we anch.o.r.ed at 2 a.m., Monday, February 6. There is a rise in the Roanoke river, and its current is very swift, so that the Valley City could make but little headway up the river.

Thursday, February 9, at 9-1/4 a.m., proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 9-3/4 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, at 12 m., we weighed anchor and proceeded to Salmon's creek, where we arrived at 2:10 p.m. Here there were a number of contrabands and their effects taken on board.

One of the contrabands stated she was 112 years of age, and had seen Was.h.i.+ngton in her early life; she is apparently very old. At 10 p.m., a boat, with a rebel soldier and two old men, with bacon, beef and fowls, were hailed, and the men and their effects were brought on board the Valley City.

Wednesday, February 22d, at 6 a.m., the Valley City got under weigh and proceeded toward Plymouth. At 7 a.m., we came to an anchor off Walnut Point, and took on board more contrabands, and at 10 a.m. we proceeded to Plymouth, where we arrived at 11:20 a.m. At 3 p.m. we got under weigh, and arrived at Edenton at 5 p.m. I went ash.o.r.e with Captain J.

A. J. Brooks, and called on Mr. Samuel B----. The fleet at Plymouth fired a salute in commemoration of the birth of Was.h.i.+ngton.

Thursday, February 23d, at 3 a.m., we got under weigh and proceeded to the mouth of Chowan river, and returned to Edenton, where we arrived at 8 a.m. Captain J. A. J. Brooks and I went ash.o.r.e, and called on Messrs.

Samuel B----, Henry B----, and Mr. M----. In the afternoon, we interred Matthew Sheridan, landsman, who had died of typhus fever. At 5 p.m. we returned to s.h.i.+p and got under weigh and proceeded down the Albemarle Sound to Laurel Point, where we arrived at 9 p.m., and anch.o.r.ed. The weather is pleasant.

Sat.u.r.day, February 25, at 5-1/2 a.m., got under weigh and proceeded to the mouth of Little Alligator river, where we arrived and anch.o.r.ed at 9-1/4 a.m.