THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

After a while there was a small bright flash. "Ha" - there
goes a gun -but no sound came. Another and another
followed in quick
[40] succession. Still no report. All hands were completely
mystified in regard to the flashes which were now shooting
forth from all parts of the city but making no noise. We
could see the smoke of the boats as they passed between us
and the town hall. All hands were the surmises in regard
to the supposed silence of the rebel batteries. About 6
1/2 A.M. heavy firing was heard down the river. Went to
qurters at 9 A.M. About 10 A.M. three forlorn-looking
soldiers made their appearance on [the] river bank and
stated that they had belonged to the ram Switzerland and
she had been destroyed whilst passing Vicksburg. They
stated that as soon as they came within range, the rebs
opened on them, sinking the "Lancaster" and disabling her
companion. There were none killed but several drowned, and
the pilot and engineer of the "Switzerland" were severely
wounded. The admiral came down from the fleet today as the
expedition is a failure.
Mar. 26, Thursday. Took the captain on board of the
flagship a long and very heavy pull in the afternoon. Had
boat exercise.
Mar. 27, Friday. Got under weigh about 7 A.M. and started
towards the mouth of the Yazoo. Came to alongside the
"Sovereign" and took on some iron and then kept on our way
up the river until we came to Johnston Landing where the
Tyler was doing picket duty. We relieved her and she
passed
[41] on down in the afternoon. The fleet came down looking
awfully used up, some of the boats being minus their
smokestacks, hammock nettings, and boats, the old
"Carondelet" as usual being the worst, she having had the
lead. The rebels jammed them up so in a narrow place that
they had everything in readiness to blow the boats up. For
some days nobody durst go on deck for fear of the concealed
rebel riflemen. After considerable work and some fighting,
they got clear and returned without accomplishing anything
except destroying nine plantations and about a million
dollars worth of cotton.
Mar. 28. Saturday. Whilst on watch from two until four
this morning heard very heavy firing at Vicksburg. Learned
today that it was occasioned by two more rams running the
blockade. They got through safe. About 11 A.M. had target
practice with our bow battery. Some fair shots were made.
We then hove up anchor and returned to the mouth of the
Yazoo where we arrived at noon. About 2 P.M. the
"Tuscumbia" and New National arrived down, the latter
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