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

firing at the rate of two shots in three minutes. Then we
[55] would lose the range as we would use our broadside and
stern guns. About 11.30 A.M. the rebel fire began to
slacken and finally 12.30 A.M. saw all their batteries
silenced except one (the upper) four-gun battery on the
first bluff, and they were so high above us that we could
not hit them so often as we wished. The firing had also
ceased on our side with the exception of this boat. The
"Tuscumbia," having been partially disabled, had dropped
down out of the way. The "Louisville" also staid below,
and the others had gone up and left us to contend with the
battery alone. We got a good position in an eddy at a
distance of nine hundred yards and then didn't the sand
fly, but it was no use as we could not dislodge them. The
admiral now signalled to us to cease firing and come up.
We obeyed the order slowly, returning shot for shot until
we got out of range totally. We steamed to where the fleet
was lying and made fast to a tree astern of the
"Pittsburg." The retreat was beaten and I left my gun,
having been five and a half hours at it, and I may safely
say it was the hardest fight I ever was in. Went in on a
tour of inspection round the boat and found that she had
receied sixteen shots besides fragments innumerable, one
taking away our steam whistle. Of our six boats, three are
totally riddled and one (the barge), davits
[57] and all went together. At 2.15 P.M. went to dinner. Not
much to eat as the fires had been out all day. Took the
captain on board "Benton." Passed the "Pittsburgh." Her
boats were all smashed and she was badly cut up, having
about forty shots in her. One shell came through her port
side and, bursting, killed seven men and wounded several
more. One went on through her pilot house and took the
foot off the pilot. "Mound City" and "Carondelet" received
but a few shots each, and no one hurt us, only one man
slightly. Lay down for a short snooze as our work for the
day was not yet done. About 5.30 P.M. we hove up anchor
and dropped down to within easy range and opened on them
with our bow guns. They soon returned the compliment,
hitting us three times, not hurting anyone or doing any
damage. We stayed with them until about 7.50, when we
hauled off about a mile and came to anchor. Supper was
piped and I went at my regular beans. 8.15 P.M., hammocks
were piped down. In fifteen minutes they were again piped
up as there was a little more for us to do. (Gen'l Grant
had marched 30,000 men across the land about eight miles
below and transports had to be run past the batteries
tonight.) About 8.45 the boats up river got under weigh.
We did the same and stood ready to bring up the rear as
usual. The "Benton" ahead,
[59] followed by the turtles, came creeping down under the
shadow of the woods. The rebs seen them fast enough as
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