February 3, 1862

We thought we were to start today _ but it dragged through without any thing more than the simple inquiry whether we were ready. It began to rain during the forenoon, & kept up almost all the day. I was officer of the day, and altogether it has been an impatient day. Nothing at all happened except that a small boat came in, said to have had on board 19 contrabands, who escaped from above Roanoke — 5 women & a baby.