U. S. Steamer “Currituck”
                                         Piankatank River Va
                                             January 23rd  1863

Sir
     At daybreak this morning, as I lay
at the mouth of the Rappahannock, I saw two
Canoes Standing in for this place.  I at once weighed
anchor and gave chase, owing to a heavy fog
we lost sight of them in a short time
I anchored at the mouth of Jackson’s Creek
on this River, Supposing them to have run in
there.  I sent the Gig and Second Cutter, in charge of
Mr Nelson the Executive officer, in Search of them,
under cover of our Guns.  On landing they ascertained
from a Negro, that a sloop was lying in the
“South West Branch,”  which they found anchored
and Scuttled in two places.  they at once stopped
the Leaks and pumped the Water Out of her hold.  Mr
Felix, Masters Mate, in charge of the 2nd Cutter went
in Search of the Goods taken from the Sloop, but
without Success,  as he landed he saw about twenty
men running in different directions,  also three of
the Rebel Cavalry, one of whom took to flight
suppose to be a Col.  [Chorian?] of the Rebel Cavalry.
he captured two prisoners, Riley Christopher a Rebel
Soldier, and James Ewell of Accomac Creek Va
the owner of the Sloop.  the latter had a “Sharps
Rifle” which he dropped as Mr Felix called on
them to Surrender he asserts he had no intention of
using it, and says it was given to him by the
Col. to fire on our men: Christopher (the other Prisoner)
also states the Col. gave him a Rifle for the same
purpose, which he threw away on seeing our men
landing immediately after Mr Nelson shoved off

[page 2]
and got the Sloop under way having the Gig in
tow sending the 2nd Cutter ahead. when abreast of a
point covered with thick woods they were suddenly
attacked by a party of about thirty (30) Rebels
Riflemen, who Kept firing rapidly and calling on
Mr Nelson to give up the Sloop.  he replied by
ordering his men to fire and bravely Kept his
place at the helm under a heavy fire, until
it became so rapid, he had to steer from the Cabin,
he Kept on his course his men Keeping up a rapid
fire from the hold of the sloop and from the Gig
in reply to that of the Enemy, who did not
Cease firing until they were out of range.  I am
happy to inform you none of our party were
injured.
              As the boats were between this Vessel and
the Enemy I could not open on them until they
Cleared the Creek.  I then shelled the Woods for
about thirty minutes, with what Success I
was unable to ascertain.
         I Enclose a note found on the person
of Riley Christopher.
                               Very respectfully
                                  Your obt. Servant
                                     T. J. Linnnekin
                                      actg Master Comdg

Commodore
   A.  A.  Harwood
Comdg. Potomac Flotilla
          Washington
                      D.C.

MSS  15134
 

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Fri 23.  Cloudy, but milder;  no orders yet, for a week
we have had rations cooked & been ready to move at
an hours notice.  Still unwell – Paymaster came!!

MSS 12935

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden, Rector of Walker’s Church (later Grace Episcopal), Cismont, Va.]

Friday  Raleigh seemed all day to have
forgotten all the trouble of yesterday – May God
have mercy on him, for nothing seems to make
any impression on him. After school he went
to Cobham without permission & did not
return all day. – This does not look like penitence
The truth, no doubt is, that he hates & dreads
to stay here for it makes him reflect on his
sin – May God check his course & cause him
to think!  We got a letter last Sunday from
George Wedderbeem, much to our surprise, giving
information of his mother & Aleck & asking
us to take the latter here to school.  Father says
he shall decline the  honor.  Mrs W & A have
just arrived in Richmond, where they are
boarding at the same place as Geo. & his wife-

MSS 4288

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Friday 23d  Still very gloomy weather – & I feel quite unwell this morning
Katy brought me two letters from the office,one from Captain Mason,
the other from Joe -Little Mat is better but still very weak – &Mr
Mason says Eliza is quite well bore the trip remarkably well
& is very much pleased with her boarding house – & the surround
-ings.  the Hostess seems anxious to add to their comfort. & he
thinks Eliza will be happy there.

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper publisher and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

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

Thursday
Jan 22
It has been a cold uncomfortable day
not been out to drill but went to dress parade.
Have played two games of chess, one with George
and one with Phineas, and have been reading
“life and duty” which I like very much.  this evening
George and I had quite an argument about people
being obliged to work beyond their strength.  Frank
Adams was in here too

MSS 11293

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler,  chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Thurs 22.  Little easier – at noon rose   ate arrowroot
& heard bear stories in Evg.  still storms, constant
orders to move & wait, rumored McClellan is
coming to the Army.  we have moved, it seems certain
but not know much of the Army or where they
have gone

MSS 12935

[from the diary of George W. Dabney, clerk of Campbell County]

21. Wedny
Rain all last night till this
eveng. –cart not going up
for bad weather, wrote Pa
giving progress of farm
matters to present time

22d thursy
Fair & moderate. Th. 50.
plowing corn land, shrubbing
littering stable yard &c
wrote Ro. H. Robinson about  [Sheriffs?]
accts yet unsettled – Hays Otey
here p.m. & all night, on way to
Danville in 2 horse carryal – brot a
cargo of smok: tob” for Hutter &
me pack cards — heard for first
time of Nannie Hutter’s mishap &
almost fatal illness in Child bearing
now out of danger so that H. can
return to his post in Danville.
City folks rampant for lynching
by hanging the ruffians infesting
their streets by night — Speed writes
Jack. Lang” [Langhorne?] from Richmond that Jeff
Ds has some intelligence better than
recognition – not made public yet.
[query?]–  iron clad fleet ready?

MSS 3315

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden, Rector of Walker’s Parish (later Grace Episcopal), Cismont, Va.]

Thursday  Father has a private conversation with
R – this morning -relative to the lost money – He
almost immediately confessed that he had taken
the notes – said he had never stolen money before
but  & had felt very unhappy ever since it
had been done. Father talked with him a
long while, setting before him the heinousness
of the crime he had committed – that he might
be taken to jail, tried & punished for it – &
then spoke of the sin against God &c – He
was much moved, cried & seemed to evince
genuine repentance – May God grant that it
may be so!  In the afternoon father sent for
Mr Nelson to whom R confessed his fault
& restored the money – $30.  Father had
intended to ask Mr N- to flog him, but the
latter former showed so much compassion for the boy
that he did not propose it.  R stayed in his
room all day – My heart ached for him all
day & prayers were hourly ascending for him
May God hear & answer them for Christ sake

MSS 4288

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]

Friday. January 23rd – Raining in the morning but cleared about ten o’clock.
Maria came over to read French.  Reported victory in Tennessee. Dr. H. dined at
Prospect Hall with cousin John and Walker Page.

MSS 9759