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

time and morning, we had three more alarms, but like the
first one, they were groundless. Once through the day they
made their appearance at the point but did not venture round.
Thursday, May 15th. One more false alarm today. Heard
[109]another alarm, which I hope may turn out real, "to wit," that
we were to get some money tomorrow. Weather warm and close.
Friday, May 16th. I have heard that thirty men deserted
today from the fort and that they say that they are suffering
for food in it and they cannot get any supplies, as the
people of Memphis are getting back on them, and their bogus
government are not able to help them. They sent up a flag
of truce today, wanting to know on what terms we would
surrender, a rich idea certainly. Money was served out, I
getting thirty dollars. It came just in time, as a letter
came from home telling me that the funds had run out. I sent
twenty-five dollars home by Adams Express, which I hope will
arrive safe. I turned in with a merrier heart than I have
had in sometime. Oh, almighty Dollar.
Sunday, May 18th. Divine Service and muster. Received a
letter from my friend Tom, also two Troy Times from home, in
one of which I read of my old tentmate John Dargan being
ordenance sergeant in the regiment. Wrote to my wife a
letter in which I also enclosed ten dollars, which I hope she
will get, as she must want it by this time. It is reported
that three rams has arrived to strengthen our fleet. I hope
it is so.
Monday, May 19th. Two papers from Tom. The rebels sent up
another flag of truce today, wanting to know upon what terms
we would surrender the flotilla. What sublime assurance.
Tuesday, May 20th. Nothing of any importance going on today.
[110]Wednesday, May 21st. Another flag of truce today. What they
wanted, I don't know - something impertinent, I imagine, as
the commodore placed some of the mortars in position and
shelled them in good style all the afternoon, the first
mortar firing done in ten days.
Thursday, May 22nd. Nothing of moment occurred today.
Friday, May 23rd. The rebels drove in our picket on the
point last evening. Heard that we had a battery in process
of eviction. Also, on the point our pickets had another
skirmish with them in which one officer was killed ( by one
of his own men, on mistake ) and another and three pickets
wounded. The St. Louis was sent down to the point to shell
the woods, which she did, after which all was quiet.
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