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

peeping out from its bower of shade trees. In the evening we
met the Cincinati, also returning from White River about 8
P.M. We tied up to the Arkansas shore and I turned in.
Monday, June 30th. Came on deck at 12:15 A.M. and was
surprised to find that we were under weigh, which was caused
by the Benton coming up with us and, still keeping on her
way, passed the mouth of the White River about 5 A.M. and
came abreast of Napoleon at 8 A.M., which place contains
about 2000 inhabitants. It has also a very fine marine
hospital. The Benton again astern of us, the Cincinati and
Louisville leading quarters and will for the first time in
three weeks.
Tuesday, July 1st. Morning cold and rainy. Came in sight of
the first of Farragut's fleet about 9 A.M. Immediatly
afterwards, came in sight of the other six which ran the
blockade. There names are as follows: "Hartford," flagship,
sloop-of-war Richmond, and gunboats Sciota, Panola, Oneida,
Iroquois, and Wissahicon. We came to anchor a little ways
from the Richmond. She got four shots on her whilst running
past their batteries and had two killed and nine wounded.
The other boats suffered in proportion. Seven of our mortars
came down behind us and were placed in position to shell the
city. Porter's mortars attending to the fortifications.
From where we are lying, the dome of the courthouse and the
spires of two churches are to be seen. The Louisiana shore
in front of the city assumes the form of the two sides of a
triangle (owing to the sinuous course of the river). Along
the lower side Porter's mortars are placed, and along the
upper are ours, so that the city is placed between two fires
which must eventually drive them out.
Wednesday, July 2nd. Our mortars opened on the city this
morning. It was soon returned in the shape of a large rifled
shell which came whistling through the air like a gigantic
plover quail. Burst short, doing no harm. The firing was
carried on by both parties at intervals all day. No harm to
our side.
Friday, July 4th. Independence Day. We are fighting today
for what we fought eighty-six years ago - our national
existence then against King George, now King Cotton. The
whole flotilla fired a national salute at 12 A.M. The [day]
passed off dull and heavy for me. If home, I would not pass
[120] it in such a manner. Wrote to my wife and sent her ten
dollars. Hope it will go home straight. Turned in at
8 P.M. The main brace was spliced on board every craft of the
two fleets, with the exception of this one "miserabile."
Sunday, July 6th.
Was awakened last night by hearing a
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