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

woods. She was named the "Sovereign." As we passed her, I
could [see] that one of her wheelhouses was shot through and
that her bows were all smashed in. She was soon under steam
again and following in our wake for Memphis. "Sic transit
gloria mundi." We picked up two men in a skiff, which were
sent on board the benton. We kept on until Memphis, hove in
sight, precaution but "nary reb" or any other man was to be
seen. From there we lay, the
[114] lights in the city were plainly seen. There was also a
large bright blaze to be seen, like a burning boat.
Friday, June 6th. All hands roused out at 4 A.M. Anchor was
hove up, decks cleared, ready for action. We then went to
quarters and awaited a demonstration on their part, which
they did not seemed inclined to make. We could see that they
had nine boats to our four. About 5 1/2 A.M., the Bragg came
up towards us and opened fire. It was answered by us
instantly. The commodore now signalled the whole fleet to
drop down and engage them. We crowded steam on and got right
on amongst them and fired our bow broadside and stern guns as
the occasion demanded. The bluffs in front of the city were
crowded with spectaters who were invited by Ed Montgomery to
see the Yankees getting whipped. They cheered their own
boats as they passed, but their cheering did not avail them
against the iron-shod prows of our rams Monarch and Queen of
the West, which roamed about like the evil one seeking whom
they might destroy. At last, after two hours and fifteen
minutes, they were whipped out, leaving eight of their boats
in our possesion, the remaining one escaping whilst the rest
were fighting. We had two wounded slightly by a shot
striking us on the ring of the anchor and chocks, sending the
fragments onboard. A shell also burst over us, a small
fragment striking me but doing no harm. We chased them about
ten miles below the city. As we returned, we could see the
hull of a boat on the stocks which had been set on fire by
them to keep her from falling into our hands. They also ran
two others ashore, firing one of them before they left. Just
as we got past the burning one, she blew up with a terrible
report which sent all hands for their guns, as the bursting
of the shells in her magazine sounded as if they had opened a
battery on us. We arrived in front of the city at 9 1/2
A.M., the secesh flag still flying. The commodore now sent a
flag of truce ashore, demanding the surrender of the city,
but as the mob had put the mayor in jail (for fear he should
surrender it), nothing could be done, as the people were in a
terrible state of excitement. Matters remained so until
three P.M., when a party of soldiers went ashore and cut it
down. The bluffs remained crowded with people all day. So
here we are, with Memphis in our possesion. Ed Montgomery's
boast (that we should never penetrate the Mississipi any
further - see his official account of the engagement on May
68