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

furious bombardment which continued for about an hour as hard
as sixteen mortars could throw their shell, aided by a couple
of gunboats. The rebels never once replied. Heard that
McClellan had taken Richmond.
Wednesday, July 9th. Sick today with the ague. Received a
letter and paper from T. Gillespie.
Thursday, July 10th. Received a letter from the dear little
woman at home which was very welcome, as her letters always
are. Nothing going on of moment.
Saturday, July 12th. Answered my wife's letter and sent her
five dollars. Received two papers.
Sunday, July 13th. Divine service this morning. Answered
Tom Gillespie. Am twenty-four years old today and the
hottest this summer, the glass standing 110 degrees in the
shade. SX came down.
Tuesday, July 15th. Weighed anchor at 3 1/2 A.M. this
morning (as per order of yesterday) and proceeded up the
Yazoo on a reconnaisance in company with the gunboat Tylor
and the ram Queen of the West. When about eight miles up, I
was startled by the report of a gun (being at breakfast) and
the orders "all hands to quarters," "cast loose and provide."
I looked through a port to see what caused all the comotion
and I beheld our gunboat and ram retreating from a most
formidable-looking monster which was coming down the river in
style, at the same time keeping up a steady fire on the
Tylor. The ram having refused to butt her, it was about time
for us to stand clear and we accordingly
[121] turned our head downstream to avoid being struck by her.
In the meantime, I had got my gun cast loose and ready as I
could, which I did. I now became very warm, so I pulled
my shirt and hat off, which made me feel better. The decks
were very slippery and I asked for sand, which was not to be
had, but I soon got a substitute in the shape of a flood of
water which came pouring in through a hole in the
wheelhouse, caused by an eight-inch solid shot which came
through our stern, gutted the captain's cabin, passed
through the wheelhouse, sterage and several steam pipes, and
knocked a twelve-inch oak log into splinters and then rolled
out on deck. All this time the rebel was close astern of us,
now on one quarter, now on another, but steadily gaining on
us. I got several good shots at her, but I imagine without
effect, as her iron-cased sides did not look as if they were
broached. She mounted ten heavy guns, three on each side and
two forward and aft. Altogether she was a mighty unpleasant
looking critter to be closing you up and at the same time
throwing solid shot through you. At last she touched our
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