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

which I hurt my back severely. Heard that Mannasses Gap was
captured by McClellan and that Banks was in posession of
Winchester and Charlestown and that he was badly cut up.
Don't know whether it is true or not, as the papers say
nothing about millitary affairs owing to this late order of
Stanton's, which may be prudent but I vow it is not
comfortable. Read in today's St. Louis papers that Gen'l
Pope had invested New Madrid but could do nothing, as the
rebel gunboats shelled them rather severely when he
approached too near. Turned in early as I was very stiff and
sore.
Wednesday, Mar. 12th. Turned out at 4 bells (6 A.M.), stiff
and tired. Went to quarters at two bells (9 A.M.). Clothing
was served out to the soldiers. I drew 1 cap/pants and 4
yards of flannel, which I have not yet got. Read today about
the Merrimac coming down the James River, Va., and sinking
the frigate Cumberland, besides compelling the frigate
Congress to haul down her flag, after which she burnt her.
Heard that
[79] we were going down to Island No. 10 to attack the Rebs.
Recovered the long wished for letter from my wife, as I had
not received one in almost a month. Received also a letter
and papers from my friend Tom Gillespie which were truly
welcome, as I had nothing whatever to read. No intelligence
yet from camp.
Thursday, Mar. 13th. Was turned out at three bells (5 1/2
A.M.). Had an early breakfast as it was that we were going
away at 1 P.M. Wrote an answer to my wife's letter. Did not
leave at one o'ck as said but went out into the stream and
humbugged about for a couple of hours with our anchor and
then returned to our old berthe alongside the levee. Heard
in the afternoon that the Rebs had evacuated the Island No.
10, at hearing which the crews of some of the [boats] cheered
lustily. Turned [in] at 8 bells. About 1 bell a tugboat
came alongside and told the captain to allow no person ashore
and to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Friday, Mar. 14th. Was turned out at 4 bells. Went on deck
and found it had rained all night. Breakfast at 6 bells,
after which we steamed down the river to Columbus, at which
place was congregated six other gunboats. We came to
alongside the wharf and commenced taking in coal. Before we
finished, the commodore signalled for the flotilla to get
under weigh. They did immediatly and steamed down stream
until we came near Hickman in Tenn., when we cleared for
action and then gradually dropped down abreast of the town
where we made fast to the Missouri shore, the Rebs leaving
[80] as we made our appearance. Hickman is the dividing line
between Kentucky and Tennessee. It is a pretty little place
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