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

May 14, Thursday. Got under weigh at 5 A.M. Passed
"Gordon's Landing" at noon and found the batteries and
Gordon's house had been destroyed by the "Benton" on her
passage down. Saw alligators for the first time in my
life. Tied up to a tree at 6 1/2 P.M.
[87] May 15, Friday. Turned out at 5.30 A.M. and found that we
had been under weigh some time. Arrived on the Mississippi
about 9 A.M. Found the "Hartford," "Pittsburg" and the
"Satchem" doing blockade duty off the mouth of the river.
In the afternoon the commander of the "Hartford" paid us a
visit.
May 16, Saturday. Nothing of any importance going on.
May 17, Sunday. The "Estrella" came down the Vicksburg
this afternoon. My heart went up at the prospect of a
mail, but it came down with a thump. Then I learned that
she had nothing but coal for us. She also brought the news
of the evacuation and distruction of Warrenton by the
rebels and that Gen'l Grant had taken Jackson, Miss.
May 18, Monday. The "Arizona" and "Pittsburg" went down
river this morning as far as "Bayou Sara" to make a
recconaissance. In the afternoon the "Price" hove in
sight. Again I hoped for a mail and again was I
disapointed. She brought nothing but ammunition for us,
and the "Pittsburg" commenced coaling ship. About 9 1/2
P.M. the "Switzerland" came down Red River. About 10 P.M.,
all the ammunition being on board, hammocks were piped
down.
May 19, Tuesday. The "Price" went up Red River to
"Simmsport" at 5 1/2 A.M. Continued coaling in the
afternoon. Mr. Smith returned, bringing N.O. papers to the
16h prox. Finished coaling about 7 P.M.
May 20, Wednesday. The "Switzerland" left for the
"Atchafalaya" in the forenoon. The "Price" arrived down at
1 P.M. We got under weigh and went up "Red River." Tied
up to the bank about 3 P.M. About 9 P.M. the "Switzerland"
came up from "Atchafalaya" and made fast to [the] bank
ahead of us.
[89] May 21, Thursday. Two steamers came up from N.O. with
troops for "Bayou Sara." In the afternoon the "Sachem" and
another boat went down "Red River." A boat's crew went
ashore on the plantation of a Mr. Turnbull and brought off
a great many books.
May 22, Friday. Several boats passing up and down. A
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