It was bright and clear this morning and cold , continued so all day. The first brigade got under way about eight o’clock, and the second Brigade about nine o’clock. The Northerner first, with three schooners in tow, George Peabody with two schooners, and next the Cossack, with the Scout in tow. We watched with interest the Commodore lead out past the point followed by the gun boats, and when it headed Northward we felt assured our destination was Roanoke Island. It was a beautiful sight to see the fleet steaming slowly up the sound, the waters sparkling in the brilliant sunshine. The air cold and clear. So they continued all day long, making scarcely more than three miles an hour. We dined at four o’clock and went on deck, as usual to watch the sunset. Stumpy point was in eight. A low range of trees marked the marshy shore to the left, and over it down back of us, the splendid arch that crowned the sun as he sank down, was as fine as any I ever saw. The red had not yet left the sky, before we came opposite Stumpy point. The American flag run up the foremast of the Patuxeut, our anchor dropped, and we left the deck. Not before we saw the gunboats range themselves as usual out beyond us, our bulwark and safety. The Scout came floating up along side, our comrades of that ilk were gathered on the sides and shrouds, as we were gathered on the side next them, and a lively conversation ensued, Scout. “Bring back those hams you stole” Cossack. “Where are the hospital towels. Scout. You can sleep on the hurricane deck if you come over here.” Cossack. Where’s the quartermaster’s whiskey.” Scout we can accommodate you in the dirty gangways, as you did us.” Cossack you weren’t fit to sleep any place else.” & so it went on with banter and test. The allusions were to the fact that when the Scouters came on board here the other day and during their stay forty five dollars worth of ham, belonging to the officer of the Scouters was stolen as also beef tongue &c. And our hospital stores were broken open and fifteen towels taken, and a barrel of whiskey belonging to Uncle Sam. Tapped. Money was also stolen. We were unable to tell whose crew did it but in a bantering way each accused the other of it: Each alledging that there was no thieving in either vessel until they all got together on board the Cossack. Frank Vizetelly, artist for the Lon Illust news, a correspondent of Lon Times, and Frank Leslies artist are on board the Spaulding. I heard of Frank Vizetelly being at Centreville but did not see him. I should like to see him, because I commenced taking the Lon Illust News first at the beginning of the Italian war & he illustrated that and afterwards the Sicilians war
