We got awake this morning, with rocking boat, dense fog - many with sick stomachs. Some acknowledged it - others got quietly into their bunks and staid there. Beaver went to his bunk and was sick all day. The Col was struck suddenly after breakfast. Down in the hold and up on deck it was still worse. We stopped on account of the density of the fog and laid by until afternoon. We saw the Picket with Gen. Burnside on board. I felt a little reely after breakfast but an hour or two on deck settled, and this evening I feel splendid. This afternoon it cleared off, and I enjoyed the ride very much. We could see the low coast line to our right about two miles, strewed with the wrecks of ships. Toward five o'clock we came opposite Cape Hatteras, the wind blowing hard, and the sea very rough. There were several attacks of sickness - Beaver being out most of the afternoon, retires in intense disgust. We are now lying an and off Cape Hatteras waiting for a pilot. I was on the Hurricane deck at sunset - it was delightfully exhilarating - rising and falling with the waves - the spray breaking over the bow - the sunset was very beautiful the orange and sapphire - the ashes of roses - the long low sand beach of Cape Hatteras, with its white shaft of Light House.

Blair was officer of the day today - and luxuriated in the full reign of a sound stomach. The adjutant was sick as well as the sentinels at guard-mounting - & Blair goes up and cooly tells them that no one should get sick without a written permit signed by the Colonel. The white sea birds followed in our wake a long while this afternoon on their untiring wing. We saw the Cossack as also the Steamship City of New York off Cape Hatteras. One of the Reporters told me that it was that ship, but I rather suppose it is one of the blockading fleet. Along what is called Bald Beach, the wrecks of vessels are very numerous. One Schooner apparently lately wrecked, and what we took to be a tent pitched back of it. The ship is rolling heavily this evening, and it is said we will have to stay outside all night. Mr. Mallory told me this morning that they had heard in the Fortress yesterday afternoon the destination of the fleet - that the news came through directly from Norfolk - that we were to go to Hatteras Inlet, and our object was to blow up some locks of some canal, to prevent the egress of a Rebel expedition fitting out at Norfolk. It is said that there is a canal between Norfolk and Albemarle sound - I can't find anything on the maps I have with me, but I think there is what is called the dismal swamp canal. The Col's orders were to enter Hatteras Inlet and wait. It seems strange that we can keep the intelligence only from our own sailors. I was told by the World reporter that the notice of a traitor being found in the family of a distinguished military officer, was that of Adjt. Gen. Thomas, and his daughter was the one implicated. This information must have come through some such source. Thomas is a Virginian by birth and residence and on the breaking out of the war sent his slaves to Kentucky. I was told also, by the same man, that on Friday night, one of the officers detailed on the signal corps, was arrested endeavouring to escape over to Sewalls point, in a small boat, having with him all the signals to be used in the expedition. I see by Colton's map the Dismal Swamp Canal marked.