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

shell at the works but no answer was returned. Then we
fired three blank charges and ran up alongside, shoved out
a gangplank, and then our marines, followed by the first
division of sharpshooters, went racing up the bluffs at
railroad speed to see who would gain the fortification
first. The first to enter was George Dawson, who waved his
cutlass over his head and took possession of the hill in
the name of the United States. Then John Beffel hoisted
the "Stars and Stripes" and we saluted it with three
rousing cheers. We then moved up to the fourgun battery,
ran alongside, and made fast to a tree. The captain,
followed by the most of
[69] our officers, then went ashore to look at the works. I
also managed to strike "terra firma." I also struck a
beeline for the works to see what I could confiscate to my
own personal use and advantage. I found a carpet sack but
it was unfortunately empty. This battery was very strong,
mounting three sixty-eights and one seven-inch rifle. They
were all spiked, of course. One had a load in and as it
had become hot from its burning carriage, it went off
upsetting itself out of its position. I then set off on a
tramp over the hill. It is a beautiful country but
blighted looking as all slave [?] territory is. Several
more of the boys were here on the forage also. Here might
be seen one chasing a chicken with a drawn cutlass, there
another hunting an old gander with an empty horse pistol.
Altogether it was a highly ludicrous scene. After
considerable racing and a corresponding amount of hard
praying, the enemy was captured. I got a bobtailed
chicken, another three geese. We all had from one to five
chickens, and one a yearling bull. We then started for the
boat. I and another got safely aboard with our prizes, but
the others were not so fortunate as they met the admiral on
the bluff. He abused them for thieving and ended up by
ordering them to take the things on board of the "Benton"
where they went to enrich his larder, bless his gallant and
magnanimous heart. About 9 1/2 A.M. we returned to the
coal pile and went on with our coaling. At 11 1/2 A.M. the
Benton made
[71] signal for us to get under weigh and follow her lead. We
did so and four of us started down for Red River (the
"Benton," "Price," "Lafayette." and "Pittsburg" bringing up
the rear). At [12].45 A.M. we passed "St. Joseph, La." At
1 P.M. we passed "Rodney, Miss." It is a scattering town
containing, I should judge, 2000 inhabitants. Came abreast
of "Natchez, Miss." The lower town is a mean place,
looking like a settlement of Dutch ragpickers. Of the
upper town I could see nothing as it was hidden by the
trees on the bluffs. I saw only one house that looked of
the first class. It is at the upper end of the town and
stands almost entirely hidden by shrubbery. A circular
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