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

take long as our anchor was hove short. The "Benton" had
much difficulty in turning head down, but she got round
eventually, and we followed her slowly down stream. We
then went to quarters and all unnecessary lights were put
out and strict silence kept. I went on deck at 10 P.M. and
looked down at the city. Everything looked quiet and
sleepy, but the signal lights flashing now and then told us
that they had their (far from sleepy) eyes on us. About
10.45 P.M. we rounded the Point, when - whang - went a gun
and the shell came whistling and
[47] screaming through the air. It fell short. Silence for
about a minute (which seemed an age) when they tried it
again, this time a little nearer. Another short spell and
then they opened on us with about a dozen guns. We made no
reply but kept on our way. After a while one struck our
bow port but did not come through. They are getting the
range of us. Crash - and 130 pounder rifled Whitworth came
a-tearing through our casemate and making the splinters fly
in all directions. We now opened on them with our port
broadside guns and gave them a round. By this time we were
right in the centre of their fire. Crack, crack, and again
we were pierced. It now seemed as if the whole shore for
miles was lined with guns. They fired from ahead, a-
breast, and astern of us. It litterally rained fire and
this boat was a target and could be seen quite plainly as
they set fire to a barn, which threw out a strong, ruddy
glare against the black sky. All this time we were only
drifting with tide as [we] were covering the weaker boats.
We touched bottom once and remained still. Then how the
devils cheered and yelled, thinking that we were done for.
They now opened with musquetry, field pieces - in fact
everything that could throw a shot - and for 15 minutes it
was truly awful. Whiz, thump, and again and again we are
[48] struck, this time further aft. We had now got off and we
dropped slowly out of range. They still kept up their
fire, although their shots almost always fell short. Early
in the fight the coal barge, which we had in [tow],
received a shot and was now filling rapidly, so we cut her
and the "Price" adrift. After steaming down a little ways,
they opened on us with field pieces. One of the boats
replied and so we passed "Warrenton," having been one hour
and 40 minutes under fire.
April 17, Friday. Came to an anchor about 2 A.M. Soon
after I took the captain on board the "Benton." She had
only 4 men wounded. Returned about 2 1/2. Hammocks were
piped down, but I turned for a snooze in the "Den." At 7
A.M. was awakened by Peter 3d for breakfast. After
breakfast went on deck and fond that we had been struck
twelve times, three shot having penetrated us (for which we
may thank our neutral English cousins), they being all
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