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

immediatly sent down to see what her errand was. All she
wanted was to return two of our doctors to us who were taken
prisoners at the battle of Belmont in September last. I
think they have some ulterior motive in so doing, because
they are not generally so magnanimous. About one bell (12
1/2 P.M.) all hands were called to cheer ship as the
commodore was going away. We all tumbled up to get a parting
look at the old man. He looked very pale and feeble as he
was passing us. He said, if he was able, he would come on
board and shake hands with all of us and then he wished that
God might bless and protect us. A few turns of the wheels
and the western flotilla knew Commodore Foote no more.
Saturday, May 10th. Whilst busily engaged washing in the
forecastle about 6 1/2 A.M. this morning, I heard some one
say the rebels are coming and in looking towards the fort, I
saw steamers rounding the point of the Arkansas shore and
they were closely followed by several others, as we could see
by
[106]their smoke. In the meantime, all hands were called and
before the hammocks were off the deck, we beat to quarters.
By this time, four or five of them had got round the point
and were making for the Cincinati with the intention of
either sinking her or capturing her and the mortar which she
covered. The leading and largest of the rebel boats was a
side-wheeler and to be iron-cased forward of her wheel
houses, as I saw the Cincinati fire her three bow guns and
then, turning, deliver her broadside, fire into her at a
distance of a few yards but without seeming to take any
effect whatever on her. During this time we had been
dropping down rapidly, and when we got within range, we
opened on them with our bow guns, but the range was rather
high and did not seem to strike her. After a few minutes,
however,we got it and our starboard bow gun sent one through
her starboard wheel house and (into her boilers, it is
thought), as the steam gushed out in huge jets from an
hundred different places, I could also see her crew retreat
to the fantail. She now dropped astern, and I had to go to
my own gun as there was a good chance to use our stern guns.
I then took my station as first sponger and from that time
until the fighting ceased I had not much time to see what was
going on, except when I would be on the port loading, and
then I would look round to see what was going on. I could
see their boats and ours mixed up indiscrimatly and the shot,
shell, and grape flying about in rather a careless manner.
In fact, the air was full of flying missiles of sorts. One
[107]of their rams was heading for us when a broadside from us
caused him to haul his wind. There was also a small steamer
of some sort coming for our stern when two well-directed
shots from our stern guns entered his wheelhouse and for a
few minutes the air was full of splinters. She also left.
63