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

15th. Nothing occurred up till 8 bells, when I turned in as
I felt rather unwell.
Saturday, April 26th. Nothing of any note occurred today.
Sunday, April 27th. General muster of all hands. Divine
[104]service was also held. Wrote an answer to Tom's letter of
the
15th. Weather warm and close, very relaxing. All the
vegetable world is in full bloom.
with much news.
Deserters still arriving
Monday, April 28th. One of the late deserters states that
the rebels intend making an attack on us some night this
week. with thirteen boats, in consequence of which report we
get everything ready for action every night before turning
in. We also keep watch, and watch and sleep with our side
arms on. If they come up, they will have a good time, I
don't think.
Tuesday, April 29th. Nary rebel last night. Nothing of any
consequence going on.
Thursday, May 8th. Was awakened about 4 A.M. with the cry of
"all hands" tumble out, lash and carry, three turns and
run,the rebels are coming, and such like expressions. I
tumbled out and commenced lashing up all the confusion hard
talk incidental to a lot of sailors being roused out of a
sound sleep. Some were rubbing their eyes, some bundling
their clothes on wrong side up without care, some already
dressed but busy swearing. The drum beating to quarters soon
got everything quiet, cutlasses were buckeled on, guns
trained and the magazines and shell rooms opened in
expectaition of an attack. After a while I went on deck to
see what caused the uproar and found that a couple of their
boats, whilst it was yet dray day, had stolen round the elbow
of the Arkansas shore with the intention of stealing a couple
of our mortars, which weren't there. They Buzzed around for
about an hour, taking good care, however, to keep out of
range of the rifled shell which were kept in waiting for
them. One of them seemed to approach a little but she was
warned off by a shell from the Benton, which if it did not
hurt her, it scared her badly, as she backed out in short
order. After a while, they disapeared altogether and that
was the last of them for this day. Got two papers today.
Friday, May 9th. A sharp lookout was kept for them this
morning, but they did not make their appearance. The steamer
from Cairo brought down Commodore Davis, who is to relieve
Commodore Foote. About noon, a rebel tug bearing a flag of
truce came around the point towards us. One of our tugs was
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