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

lettr and wrote one to my wife.
Dec. 27, Saturday. The ram "Monarch" arrived down this
morning and at noon came the "Conestoga." Whilst
maneuvering the boat to see if she could be fought head
down stream, we parted one of our best hawsers and lost our
heaviest anchor and 60 fathoms of cable.
[18] Dec. 28, Sunday. Heavy firing heard through the night. It
slacked about 4 A.M. but recommenced about 8 A.M. and was
kept up until 1 P.M. with a fierceness and regularity that
told of hot work. About noon the "Rocket" came down from
the scene of the conflict and reports us having taken three
earthworks which commanded the approaches to Vicksburg on
one side. The rebels fought well and contested every inch
of of the ground. It is also reported the capt. and 12 men
were killed on the "Benton" and that she was not able to
cope with the battery and therefore backed out. Sent the
mail up in the "Rocket" as she and the Conestoga went up in
the afternoon. The mosquito "Ratler" arrived down. She
brought a small mail. I received a letter from my wife.
About 4 P.M. the transport "Minnehaha" arrived down with
1100 prisoners to be exchanged, but Capt. Walke couldn't
see it in that light whilst fighting is under weigh.
Dec. 29, Monday. The fighting is still going on. We are
beating them back slowly but at the same time surely. We
have taken our 1000 prisoners already. Our two mortars are
at work at the Yazoo fort steadily but seem to make no
impression.
Dec. 30, Tuesday. Everything in "status quo." Received a
refugee on board which came all the way from Red River to
us.
[19] Dec. 31. At sundown we unrove our ridgeropes and coiled
our hawsers down in our forward deck in preparation for a
fight. About 7 P.M. we weighed anchor and in company with
the "Mound City" and "Pittsburgh" steamed up the Yazoo
river to Johnston's Landing where the flag was lying. Came
to anchor about 8 1/2 P.M. Turned in soon after and so
ended the year 1862. I am thankful that I have lived to
see the end of it.
1863
90