July 20th. Early this morning, a side-wheel steamer came up the river. Hoisted two rifle guns off the poop, and transported them forward. Some of the lads on liberty; those remaining on board, some of whom had been ashore and had a little run of it, working with a will, since they were now sure that the old and loved Hartford was homeward bound. The guns, eight in number, had been ordered to be got in readiness for being hoisted out of her, which was a sure indication that they were quite right in believing as they did. During the forenoon, sent two guns and carriages ashore; at three P. M. gunboat Estrella got under way and went down the river; at six forty, inspected crew at evening quarters, and transported two guns from the starboard to port side of deck. This was a good day’s work done, darkness coming on before the boys got through with it.
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton
July 19th. At seven A. M., steamer Albatross came up the river, with the gunboat Sciota in tow, the latter being out of repair; at nine thirty this morning, inspected crew and ship, and at ten, called all hands to muster on quarterdeck, where Divine services were performed, Commodore Palmer’s clerk, Nathaniel P. S. Thomas, officiating. Read General Order No. 16, from Navy Department, Washington, D. C., upon the death of Rear-Admiral Foote, who died at the Astor House, N. Y., lately, surrounded by his numerous friends and associates, who deeply deplore his loss. He had been ordered to relieve Admiral Dupont, in command of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, off Charleston, and was on his way to perform that duty, when he was taken sick in the city of New York, and as I have stated, death ensued. This afternoon, gunboat Estrella went down the river, and the Arizona arrived from Vicksburg.
July 18th. At eight A. M., U. S. M. steamer George Cromwell sailed for New York, with mails and passengers. Work going on this day, viz: repairing rigging, fishing mizzen mast, and provisioning ship, &c.
July 17th. Calm and pleasant. Carpenter’s gang employed during the day fishing mizzen-mast, and crew at work repairing rigging, fore and aft.
July 16th. Commenced with pleasant and calm weather, as usual. Crew at quarters at nine A. M., and loosed sail to day. Took the fish off the mizzen-mast, and got topsail-yard ready for sending aloft; at eleven forty-five, furled sail, and during the remainder of this day, employed in repairing rigging, and fishing mizzen-mast.
July 15th. At seven forty-five A. M., the U. S. mail steamship Columbia arrived from New York, bringing mails and passengers. This afternoon, broke down the cotton bales around poop, and sent them ashore (sixteen bales), since we needed them for a barricade no longer, our fighting days being over; also employed coaling ship, repairing damages to rigging, &c; at five P. M. the U. S. steam sloop-of-war Portsmouth came down, in tow of a steam-tug; at six, finished coaling ship; at seven thirty, two river steamers arrived with rebel prisoners from above, Vicksburg and Port Hudson.
July 14th. Commences with clear and pleasant weather. Engaged during the whole 24 hours, coaling ship; at one P. M., gave liberty to 2nd Division, twenty-four hours; at two, the steamer Zephyr came down the river; at five the Albatross went down the river.
July 13th. At one thirty A. M., the U. S. mail steamer Creole came up the river; at seven o’clock, U. S. mail steamer George Cromwell, arrived; at ten thirty, a heavy rain shower came up from the southward and westward which lasted about an hour. Carpenters were engaged repairing ship’s side. The boatswain and crew engaged repairing rigging and getting ship ready for sea, for a homeward bound trip. Lieut. John C. Watson left the ship to go on board of Flag-ship Tennessee, and report for duty to the Admiral, having been temporarily detached from the Hartford.
July 12th. At anchor off New Orleans. Between the hours of four and eight o’clock this morning, the gunboat Winona arrived from up the river; at ten o’clock inspected crew at quarters, also performed Divine service. This afternoon, commenced giving liberty to our men, about fifty at a time.
July 11th. Commences with light winds from the westward; at four forty-five A. M. got under way and steamed down the river; at nine ten went to general quarters; at nine thirty anchored off Donaldsonville; at ten fifty went to general quarters once more, and prepared for action; fired the forward Parrott rifle at the different points as we passed; fired the broadside guns at embrasures cut in the levee from which our vessels lately were fired upon by pieces of rebel flying artillery, but received no response; steaming down the river in charge of pilot; passed between the hours of twelve and four P. M., the sloop-of-war Monongahela and iron-clad Essex, gunboat, at anchor; the lads manned the rigging and cheered ship, which was vociferously returned by them; the steamers Albatross and Estrella were in company with us; about five P. M., passed the U. S. sloop-of-war Portsmouth anchored off Carrollton; from her we received another cheer which we quickly returned; she also dipped her colors as we were passing; cheer upon cheer rent the air from youngsters and grown-up persons on shore, who had seen us approaching, and flocked down to the levee to give expression to their feelings of joy at seeing the noble old ship Hartford once more, which they had begun to have a sort of veneration for on account of the great deeds she had performed, making her name to be held in dread by all traitors to their country; about six thirty passed the Pensacola, rounded to and at six thirty-five had ship cheered by Pensacola and Tennessee, which we returned; at six forty came to anchor off the city of New Orleans. Soon, the news spread of our arrival, and crowds of people flocked down to the levee to see us once more; they were informed by those in sympathy with the rebels, (loyal now because they were forced to be to save their property from confiscation, and themselves from being sent beyond our lines), that in attempting to pass the batteries at Port Hudson on the 14th of March last we had been sunk, and they, in proof of the truth of their statement, referred to the fact that when the Hartford left New Orleans last, she was painted black, and the vessel before them was of a light lead color; in fact they so talked their theory into them that they believe it to be the truth; even the statement of the Era, a daily loyal sheet, that the Hartford had arrived, was not believed, and some of our boys ashore on liberty, with the ship’s name on their hats, could not make them believe any different; in fact, they could not be made to believe it until parties had been on board who were acquainted with some of our officers, and returned, having seen them, and learned we had the power of changing our plumage wherever we might be.
