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

mail ashore. Turned in at 8 1/2 P.M.
Mar. 2, Monday. All hands were called at 5 1/2 A.M. Had
breakfast soon after. Passed "Helena" at 6 A.M. and
"Friar's Point" about 7 A.M. In the forenoon spoke a
steamer which reported that the "Indianola" was captured by
the rebel gunboats "Music" [?], "Webb," and the late U.S.
ram "Queen of the West." In the afternoon had a drill and
tried our bow guns. I fired two shell. Whilst at quarters
the "Conestoga" came along and told us that the Indianola
sunk the "Webb" and then went down herself. Passed
"Napoleon" at 4 P.M. Turned in at 8 1/2 P.M.
[34] Mar. 3, Tuesday. Turned out 6 A.M. Arrived off the mouth
of the Yazoo River at 11 1/2 A.M. Went up a little way and
came to anchor. Found that we had this river blocked up by
a string of mortars and two eight-inch hawsers stretched
across the stream with the gunboats "Benton" and
"Carondelet" doing guard duty over them.
March 4, Wednesday. The "Carondelet" dropped down
alongside of us and two of our nine-inch guns were given to
her. Saw all of the old bums. Admiral Porter and General
Grant paid us a visit through the day. In the afternoon
signed my accounts on the "Carondelet" up to the day of my
leaving her. had due me $269.41. Received about 20
soldiers from a broken-up Illinois Regiment (the 101).
Mar. 5, Thursday. Commenced moving our two "Parrotts" aft.
It will be a very difficult job in consequence of the
narrowness of our gangways. The admiral again visited us
today. Got the first gun off about 9 1/2 P.M.
Mar. 6, Friday. Mounted the gun in the forenoon and in the
afternoon began to get the other aft. Did not get it aft
until 10 P.M. I felt very sick in consequence of having a
touch of the chills and fever.
Mar. 7, Saturday. Got the second gun mounted this
forenoon. Had consideable boating to do, practising the
crew. Drew from the purser one pound of tobacco at 80
cents per lb. Was very sick all the afternoon. "Oh" how I
wished I was home. Did not get our hammocks until 10 1/2
P.M. as we are getting ready to go somewhere.
[35] Mar. 8, Sunday. Turned out at 6 A.M. Went to quarters at
two bells. Had divine service and muster at 4 bells.
About noon we hove up anchor and went in alongside the
bank. In the afternoon we had several cutter loads of
visitors from the different boats in the fleet. Turned in
at 9.
99