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

tearing down our awning stanchions and breaking our
hogchain and its supports. The boat sank down about four
inches on the port side. We rolled all the shot amidships
and proceeded on our way slowly, passed Point Pleasant and
"Tiptonville" in the afternoon and about 8 P.M. we came to
at "New Madrid." About 11 1/2 P.M., a mail came off.
Jan. 13, Tuesday. Turned out about 6 1/2 A.M. The mail
was distributed and I received two papers from home. Left
"New Madrid" about 10 1/2 A.M. and ran alongside the Island
on the Tennessee side and made fast about 2 1/2 P.M.
Weather cloudy and cool.
Jany. 14, Wednesday. Commenced raining last night.
Raining all day very heavy until about 6 P.M. when snow
began to fall. Heard that the Island was not threatened by
any secesh but for reasons best known (to himself) the
commanding officer at Columbus ordered all the guns on the
Island and 10,000 rounds off ammunition to be destroyed at
[26] the same time and whilst depriving the troops on the Island
of all means of defence he made no provision for their
removal in case they were attacked by the enemy but gave
them special orders not to attempt to fight by any means.
We lost by the operation eighty-nine guns. It may be all
right but it looks queer.
Jany. 15, Thursday. Eight inches of snow this morning and
still falling. Weather cold. Signed accounts with our
late purser up to Sept. 30th, 1862. I signed for $81.02
instead of $92.99 as I anticipated, not having been allowed
for my full ration, which was stopped from May 31st till
July 14th. I demmurred considerably but I could not help
myself. A mail came on board but nothing for me. I
answered W.J. Butter's letter of Dec. 28th. Evening very
cold and frosty.
Jany 16, Friday. Intensely cold all day. Water freezing
very rapidly. No difference btween here and the banks of
the Hudson today.
Jany. 17, Saturday. Weather moderated last night. Day
pleasant compared with yesterday.
Jany. 18, Sunday. About 5 1/2 this morning I was awakened
by the captain's steward, having been sent for by the capt.
I turned out double quick and went into the cabin. The
captain informed me that he had been ordered to Cairo to
take charge of the new gunboat Lafayette and he wanted to
know if I would go with him. I told him I would be very
glad to [go] with him. So he told me to pack up my things
[27] and be ready to go on board the mosquito boat "New Era,"
94