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

on board hee by the "Louisville's" boat, they wanting to go
down to the "Grand Gulf." The captain would not let them
go but they produced a pass from Admiral Porter giving them
that permission. It was dated the 22 inst. On sight of
that they were allowed to go down, though known as two of
the most bitter secessionists in this section. A good many
comments were made on the policy that allowed such men to
pass through our fleet into the enemy's lines.
April 26, Sunday. Divine service and muster at 10 A.M.
April 27, Monday. The "Price" came down this afternoon
with the plan of attack which was ordered to be read to the
crew at quarters. The four Turtles are to take the lead,
then the "Tuscumbia" and "Benton" next. Then we were to
float down stern first and when we could use our stern
[guns] no longer, we were then to fight them with our
broadside and bow guns. We all expected a mail from the
"Price" but no such good luck befel us. Tomorrow we are to
begin.
April 28, Tuesday. About 10 A.M. transports with barges in
tow filled with troops arrived down. They soon landed the
men and went for more. Soon two more arrived and then the
"Price" with a disabled steam boat in tow brought up the
rear. About noon the "Benton" and "Tuscumbia" came down
and
[53] tied up to the bank. We got everything in readiness in
case we were to go down, but the day passed over without
anything being done.
April 29, Wednesday. At 7 A.M. the admiral made signal for
the fleet to get under weigh. We did so. Then the Turtles
steamed slowly down, the "Tuscumbia" and "Benton" after
them. After they had all passed us, we dropped down
slowly, stern first. We then went to quarters and opened
our magazines. About 8 A.M. the first gun was fired by the
rebels at us but it fell over and riccocheted a half mile
beyond us. Again and again they tried but with the same
result. They now depressed their guns as their shots now
fell as far short as they formerly did beyond us. About
this time the rest of the fleet opened on them with their
bow guns (and us with our stern ones) which had the effect
of diverting their fire from us onto them. Pretty soon we
were abreast of them and opened on them with our nine-inch
[guns] and howitzers. The whole atmosphere trembled with
the concussion of the repeated broadsides from the boats,
nor were the rebels idle as they replied to us almost shot
for shot from their various batteries. In fact the whole
hillside was one continued line of flame. Some time before
this we had brought our bow guns to bear on them and were
110