March 18th. This morning, at five o’clock, got under way, and proceeded on up the river, No act of violence occurred to our ship during last night while laying off Natchez. During the day the ship’s company have been engaged in making preparations to prevent the enemy’s steamers from coming alongside to board us, by securing chain cable out to the lower yard-arms; also preparing boarding nettings. At six P. M. came to anchor for the night, about seven miles below Grand Gulf.
