This was a delightful day, and nothing could be pleasanter than our journey from Hatteras to New Berne? We [?] anchor at nine o'clock and steamed down the sound, past Ocracoke inlet, [?] island [Brant?] Island shoals, and felt some what anxious when we came to the place which indicated whether we went up the Pamlico or Neuse. The pilot soon assured us that we were for New Berne sure, but still it was disputed. About [?] o'clock we entered Neuse River and steamed slowly up, the gunboats nosing into every bank and [?] until at 1/2 past seven we anchored. [?] some three miles from New Berne. An exciting chase after two little sail boats by the Picket, she firing a shot across the bow of each. We saw her come up with them in tow after dark. We observed all along the shores fired kindled raising dense smoke, apparently signal fires to warn of our approach. The sun set in glorious splendor over the quiet waters. Our band played the national airs on deck in the quiet moonlight. Morris came on board with orders. He gave us another report we don't believe. That the Merrimac came out at Norfolk, sunk the Congress and Minnesota, played [?] [blues?] with the Cumberland, but the Little [?] stuck to her and disabled her so that she had to put back to Norfolk. Now will take a good nights rest and prepare for the battle tomorrow. I saw the adjt. write his resignation this evening. Ill health the cause - hemorrhage of the lungs. We feel that we will succeed tomorrow, but that it will be a hard fought battle. My hope is that Pennsylvania will not be disgraced.