Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford. – From the Personal Journal of Wm. C. Holton.

May 18th. At nine twenty A. M. the Sachem came down and out of Red river, and anchored ahead of us. The Albatross got under way and went down the Mississippi river. Saw the smoke of a steamer up Red river; at twelve, noon, the ram Switzerland came out of Red river, and communicated with us; at two P. M. the iron-clad Pittsburgh got under way and went down the Mississippi. Ram Switzerland went up Red river. A steamer reported coming down the Mississippi river; at five P. M. the ram Gen. Sterling Price, arrived from Vicksburg; at nine thirty P. M. ram Switzerland returned from a reconnoissance up Red river, having nothing, though, to report, and anchored ahead of us.