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

P.M. the mosquito "Juliet" overhauled us and came alongside
and made fast to us. Arrived off Helena about 8 1/2 P.M.
About 10 P.M. we hauled in and made fast to a coal barge.
Jan. 8, Thursday. All hands were turned out at 4 A.m. and
coaled ship. A mail came on board last night. I received
a letter from home and one from Wm. J. Butter. Answered
wife's letter. About 3 P.M. we got under weigh in tow of
the "V.F. Wilson" and steamed up river. It being verry
foggy, we were obliged to tie up to the bank about 9 1/2
P.M.
Jan. 9, Friday. Morning foggy and chilly. Cast off about
7 A.M. and steamed up river. Two of [our] petty officers
were left behind on the bank. Our tug was sent after them
[24] and with some trouble found them. The river being on the
rise, we did not make much progress and we came to anchor
at 6 P.M. Evening very foggy.
Jan. 10, Saturday. Turned out at 4 A.M. Hove up the
anchor and proceeded on our way rejoicing. In the forenoon
we met the new style gunboat "Chillicothe" on her way down
to join the fleet. She is the queerest-looking specimen
for a war ship that ever I seen. She may be a useful boat
but I vow she is not a handsome one. Passed Memphis at 4
P.M. Came to at one of the "Chickens" to fix our wheel.
Was put on the blacklist for an indefinite period for
skylarking.
Jan. 11, Sunday. The hands were not turned out until 7
A.M. Divine service at 10 A.M. Stopped at Fulton about an
hour (12 till 1). Passed Fort Pillow at 2 1/2 P.M.
Jan. 12, Monday. About 11 1/2 last night I was awakened by
a violent concussion. I sprang out of my hammock instantly
and ran to [the] companionway but owing to all hands being
on the same errand as myself, I could not get on deck to
see what had caused such an uproar. It seemed as if the
boat was going to pieces, glass falling and timber cracking
and splitting to which were added the noise of falling
bodies. I thought we had encountered another accident like
the one at Island 10. Then I thought that a snap had run
through
[25] her bottom. I had my mind made up for a swim ashore as I
came to the conclusion that the old "Carondelet's" time had
come. I sought the ports, but they were all closed, but
after a while, as I did not hear the water running into
her, I knew there was no danger and I returned to my
hammock. I then learned the scare was occasioned by a
large snag taking us in the port bow. It slid up the
ironfaced casemate and ripped off our hammock nettings,
93