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

April 9, Thursday. A court martial is being held today on
Eugene Daly for mutiny. He is charged with having refused
to do duty and inciting others to do the same. He came
with me from the Potomac army on detatched duty on the 17th
of February, 1862, and claims to be returned to his
regiment as a soldier. Cannot be kept on detatched service
for more than one year. He would not be returned as the
naval authorities state that we were sent here for our
whole time of service. Daly denies it and would not work
as a seaman and so the case stands. Him and 12 others are
confined on the flagship.
April 10, Friday. The "Black Hawk" went up the Miss. this
morning and in consequence of the prisoner not being
present, the court did not sit. I drew from the purser
eight yards of flannel at 55 cents per yard and one silk
handkerchief at $1.05. Great preparations are being made
by some of the boats to run the blockade some of those dark
nights. The "DeSoto" arrived down.
April 11, Saturday. The mail was served out this morning.
I received a letter from home with a paper from some
stranger. The prisoner being present, the court sat. I
was called as a witness for the defense. I gave my
testimony, which I think had a favorable effect on the
court.
[44] April 12, Sunday. Divine service and muster at 9 1/2 A.M.
Answered my wife's letter.
April 13, Monday. The expedition from Yazoo Pass returned
this morning, having lost several lives and accomplished
nothing. Cause, "wait 'till tomorrow." The "Chillicothe"
is so badly damaged that she has gone to Cairo for repairs.
Her sliding port shutters, on being struck, wedged and
could not be used, so they had to shoot them out from the
inside. Her turret was not able to resist the smallest
shot that struck, being built of three-inch iron backed by
only nine inches of pine wood. She is nothing in fact but
a huge swindle on the government. The "Price" and
"Carondelet" went alongside a hay barge and took in several
on their port side to protect their machinery. We moved
all our boats over on to our starboard side. The court
martial finished today, their decision not know yet.
Rained heavily all the early part of the night.
April 14, Tuesday. In the afternoon, covered the
forecastle with ranges of chain and greased our port side
with a heavy coat of pork grease. We unshipped our
ventilators, forge, and all unnecessary gear round the
deck. Covered our quarterdeck and fantail with loose
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