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

mound stands beside it, covered by small trees clipped into
a conical form. It really looked splendid. The bluffs and
windows were crowded with the townsfolks looking at the
Yankee invaders. No demonstration of any kind was made
towards us. Passed "Ellis's Cliff" at 8 P.M. If this
place was fortified, as it is capable of being, it would
bid defiance to the Navy of the United States.
Providentially they have not many spare guns in Dixie.
Turned in at 10 P.M.
May 4, Monday. Turned out at 5.30 A.M. Found that we were
at anchor a little [off?] the mouth of Red River. As the
mist lifted off the face of the water, the sloop-of-war
"Hartford" could be seen at her anchorage in the mouth of
the river. About 1.30 P.M. I tooke the captain on board
of her. She is certainly a fine ship. Returned on board
at 3.30 P.M. Immediatly our moorings were let go and
[73] bringing up the rear of our squardron, we entered the Red
River. As we passed the "Hartford," we were cheered by
her. We returned the compliment and went on our way
rejoicing. The "Red River" proper does not begin for some
thirty miles from what is now called its mouth. The
country was all flooded as we passed through, leaving
nothing to be seen except the tree tops. At one place a
house cropped out and on the stoop some black weoman were
sitting. Then we came abreast of them. They started up
and of all the antics that ever I seen them weomen went
them, jumping, turning pirouettes, that would have done
credit to [a] dancing master and clapping their hands, they
felt so glad to see us. About eight miles up we fell in
with some of Farragut's light-draught boats which had come
up through the "Atchafalaya." There it empty's into this.
As we ascend the river, it becomes narrower and the turns
shorter. About 5 1/2 P.M. all the light drafts went down a
bayou except two, the "Ariozona" and "Estella," which are
going up to Alexandria with us. About 7 P.M. tied up to
the shore along with the rest of the fleet.
May 5, Tuesday. All hands were called [at] 4 A.M. and we
got under weigh. We were now on the Red River literally as
the water is the color of iron rust. Got along very slowly
as the river does not exceed 200 feet in width in most
places and turns about every fifty yards or so. Sometimes
our bow touched on shore and our stern another. After we
would have two turns to make at one place. As a
consequence we were some distance behind the fleet. Took a
river pilot
[75] on board. Now the country begins to look better.
Occasionally a clearing is seen and an old, ricketty shanty
with a mud chimney but everything deserted except in a few
instances. About 7 1/2 P.M. we arrived at Gordon's Landing
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