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

capturing two. One of them said he was captain of a gang
amounting to 100. He said they were out only a few miles
back in the bottom and that he came in to pick up
information. He was drunk and said more than he would if
he was sober. he was armed with a rifle, a pistol, and a
bowie knife and was splendidly mounted. Also at 4 P.M. I
was sent ashore with the boat to bring off Major Gen'l
Banks, Brig. Gen'l Dwight, and some of their staffs. Gen'l
Banks I found a very compact, upright figure with a
pleasant face and an eye which beamed with good nature and
shrewdness combined, and in fact he looked every inch the
soldier and good man. He cross-questioned the querilla, at
the same time was reading him like an open book. He
inspected the ship. He expressed himself highly pleased
with her, and when leaving he bowed most politely to the
captain and then to the crew. The guerilla was put in
irons and the other was given over to the provost marshal.
May 10, Sunday. Divine service at 10 A.M. In the
afternoon the transport "Sykes" arrived from Berwick Bay
with dispaches for Gen'l Banks.
May 11, Monday. Gen'l Grant's army tug arrived from Grand
Gulf this morning with the mail for us. I expected a heap
[85] of mail and of course got none whatever. I was awfully
dissapointed indeed. The "Sykes" left for the mouth of the
river with dispatches for Farragut. The transport "Union"
arrived up from the "Berwick Bay" with ammunition for Gen'l
Banks' army. Grant's tug left, taking our mail up.
May 12, Tuesday. Nothing of any importance transpiring.
The captain of the "Union" having been put under arrest by
Gen'l Banks, Mr. Smith from this boat was placed in charge
of her. She left for "Berwick Bay" at 4 P.M. with a few
lady passengers and some sick soldiers.
May 13, Wednesday. The "Arizona" arrived this forenoon.
Reports that the expedition against the batteries on "Black
River" a failure as after two trials, they cold not
dislodge the rebels. About 1 P.M. the ram "Switzerland"
arrived with dispatches for our captain. Immediatly we got
under weigh and after considerable trouble we got turned
round. About 2 P.M. the transport "Empire Parish," from
"New Orleans" with army stores, arrived. Dropped down the
river slowly about 6 P.M. We ran into the bank to wood up.
Took on eighteen cords and started to go but found that we
were fast. After a vast amount of backing and filling, our
anchor was got out and her head was swung off. Got [in]
our hammocks at 11 P.M.
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