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

the fleet now came to an anchor.
Dec. 1, Monday. Arrived from Helena the gunboat
"Pittsburgh" as convoy to the transport "Metropolitan,"
which had on board several hundred rebel prisoners which
were about to be exchanged. The Pittsburgh came to anchor
astern of us and the "Lexington" took her place and
proceeded down to Vicksburg. Coaled ship.
Dec. 3, Wednesday. As the "Lexington" was overstaying her
time, our tug was despatched down river to look for her and
[11] also carried a letter to some official in Vicksburgh. She
returned about 4 P.M. On account of the rainy weather
yesterday, I had a severe ague chill last night, and I felt
bad today and cannot keep my watch.
Dec. 4, Thursday. The gunboat "Baron DeKalb" arrived as
convoy to the three transports "Dacalah," "Tecumseh," and
"Sallie List," which had several hundreds of rebel
prisoners on board. About 9 1/2 P.M., the gunboat
Lexington arrived up from Vicksburg in company with the
"Metropolitan," Raining all day.
Dec. 5, Friday. Weighed anchor this forenoon and steamed
down river. Just above Milliken's Landing the "Baron
DeKalb" got aground and we had to wait for her until she
got off. Arrived off the mouth of the "Yazoo" about 1 1/2
P.M. About an hour afterwards, the "DeKalb" arrived and
came to anchor. In the afternoon, a woman appeared on the
Louisana shore, waving a white flag. Our cutter was sent
ashore to see what she wanted. She said she was the wife
of a deserter from the rebel army and she wished to get to
her parents in Iowa as the rebel authorities had ordered
her to leave. She was brought on board and kindly received
by Captain Walke after questioning her in regard to her
future movements. He escorted her on board of the "David
Tatum"
[12] to await transportation up the river. In the evening the
ram "Switzerland" arrived from Cairo, bringing the mail. I
received three letters, one from my wife, one from my
sister and one from Sandy Gillespie. Not quite over my
illness yet.
Dec. 6, Saturday. The ram "Queen" arrived down. Heard
that Farragut's fleet was at Port Hudson. A refugee named
Thomas Fagan came on board and was detained according to
orders. He is a shrewd, close fellow. The mosquito
"Marmora" went on a sounding expedition up the Yazoo and
found 6 1/2 feet of water on the bar.
Dec. 7, Sunday. Divine service and roll call. Nothing
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