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

January 1. Hail to the New Year. Was turned out at 1 1/2
A.M. (very cold indeed). Weighed anchor, went to quarters,
and placed everything in readiness. Put out all lights and
fires, lit our battle lanters and was ready. The
"Pittsburgh" came alongside of our port side and made fast
to us, the "Mound City" being in the rear. We started up
towards the batteries (7 miles) but owing to a dense fog we
did not make much headway, as it was go-ahead slow, stop,
back her, all the time. Just as we got within long rang, a
tug came in a great hurry and we were ordered back to the
landing. Got there about 4 1/2 A.M. Came to an anchor.
Hammocks were piped down and the boys turned in until 9
A.M. when the hands were again called and we went to
breakfast.
[20] Plenty of yarns around. Lay still all day surmising why we
were ordered back. I took the captain on board the
flagship. He returned at 6 1/2 P.M. Everything was not
ready for another start and about 8 P.M. we weighed anchor
and instead of going [up], we went down and 9 1/2 P.M.
found us on the Mississippi bound for Island 10. So much
for calculations. Passed the "Mound City" and "Pittsburgh"
at the mouth of the Yazoo.
Jan. 2, Friday. Came on deck at 12 for watch. Shortly
afterwards spoke the ram "Lancaster" and the transport
Tigress, the lattr having Gen'l McClernand and staff on
board. A couple of his staff came on board and held a powwow
with our captain. Raining heavy all the afternoon. On
account of the terrible heavy rain and intense darkness, we
were forced to come to an anchor about 9 P.M. Not having
anything but a "Kedge," we dragged. About 9 1/2 P.M. all
hands were turned out to heave it up again. Dropped and
hove it up three times through the most disagreeable of
nights. I got soaked thro.
Jan. 3, Saturday. Out at 6 A.M. Still raining as if the
floodgates of Heaven were open and intensely dark to boot.
The darkness however was occasionally made to appear still
more intense by repeated flashes of very vivid orange and
blue lightning. 8 P.M. Has rained steady since we got
[21] under weigh at 8 1/2 A.M. and no signs of it ceaseing yet.
Every place wet and miserable. As the spar deck leaks,
the gundeck is flooded all the time. Anchored at 6 P.M.
Jan 4, Sunday. Turned out at 2 A.M. to keep watch - "Ye
Gods," what a change. The sky was as clear and bright as a
baby's eye and "ye moon" looked as serene as if a cloud had
never obscured the brightness of her passionless looking
phizog. The hands were turned out at 4 1/2 A.M. At 5 A.M.
the anchor was weighed and we again started on our way
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