It turned out very opportunely that both of these officers had special errands to suggest still farther up the St.Mary's, and precisely in the region where I wished to go.

Colonel Hawley showed me a letter from the War Department, requesting him to ascertain the possibility of obtaining a supply of brick for Fort Clinch from the brickyard which had furnished the original materials, but which had not been visited since the perilous river-trip of the Ottawa.

Lieutenant Hughes wished to obtain information for the Admiral respecting a Rebel steamer,--the Berosa,--said to be lying somewhere up the river, and awaiting her chance to run the blockade.

I jumped at the opportunity.

Berosa and brickyard,--both were near Wood-stock, the former home of Corporal Sutton; he was ready and eager to pilot us up the river; the moon would be just right that evening, setting at 3h.19m.