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

[87] affect the human system in that manner. After awhile I went
on deck and found that the hammock nettings were broken down
in several places. The hog chain and the stanchions that
supported it were carried away, her seams were opened and
gaping in several places, and in consequence of the breaking
of the hog chain, she had sank about 7 inches on the
starboard side. After awhile the wreck was cleared and we
moved higher up the stream as some others of the trees looked
very threatening, and it was best to be out of harm's way.
Luckily, there was no one killed, but we had three wounded -
one (a messmate of mine named Maguire) severely, the ship's
cook slightly, and a colored cook cut over the eye. Our
carpenters went to work immediatly to repair her. I felt
real sick and bad and went to the doctor and got a dose [of]
quinine. Was glad when the hammocks were piped down, as I
wanted to turn in. Seven years today I left the waters of
the Golden Horn homeward bound and sick almost to the death
and here I am almost in the same condition today on the
waters of the MIssissippi. Many, many miles of strange
waters and land have I seen and traversed since then, but I
hope that this will be my last escapade as I am about tired
of my role.
Monday, Mar. 24th. Turned out at 4 bells, some better. Some
carpenters from Cairo came on board and went to work
straightening her up. All the firing is now done by the
mortars. None of the boats (except the Benton, which fires
occasionally) does anything. Nothing of any importance took
place today.
Tuesday, Mar. 25th. All right again today. Nothing of any
consequence transpiring.
Wednesday, Mar. 26th. Received the long expected and much
[88] wished for letter and paper from home and found by the letter
that some other letters had been sent to me but have not yet
arrived and also that Jennie was very sick with some kind of
a swamp disease. The contents of the letter made me feel sad
and wish that I was at home, if only for a short time.
Thursday, Mar. 27th. Wrote an answer to my wife and also a
letter to my friend Tom Gillespie. Nothing of any importance
occurred today.
Friday, Mar. 28th. Coaled ship and hove a rifled gun
overboard in consequence of the bore being smaller at the
breech than at the muzzle and therefore liable to burst when
fired off, as the shell could not be pushed home.
Saturday, Mar. 29th. Weather warm and clear. Nothing going
on more than usual. Read today of a fight at Winchester,
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