862 September 17 on route to New Bern, N.C.

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]

Wednesday
Sept 17

Slept first rate last night.  On awaking
and looking out, I found Plymouth to be
a very pretty place what I could see of it which
was not much.  There are some of our forces oc-
cupying the place with the aid of the gunboats.
At about seven oclock we started down the river
and are now (at half past seven) going down.
(4 oclock)  have just started from Roanoke Island
for New Berne. It seems that the [word missing?] far too strong for us
above Plymouth where we were probably going
and so we turned round and came back.  We have
had a very pleasant trip indeed and no bloodshed.
The weather has been delightful and I have
enjoyed myself better while absent, than for a
long while before.  It has given me an excellent
appetite and makes me feel much better.
Nowhere do I enjoy myself so well as on the water.

MSS 11293