March 26th. To-day the men have been at work forming barricades on the poop deck and forecastle with hammocks and old sails; it will prove to be quite a protection to the men who are exposed at these points, as Minie balls are dealt out to us in a profuse manner generally.
We were honored to-day with a visit from Major-General Grant and staff. A consultation of war was held on board by them and our Admiral.
March 26th. At ten A. M., beat to quarters, and loaded port battery with 10-sec. shell. At eleven fifteen hove up port anchor, beat to general quarters, and steamed down past Warrenton, firing our port battery into the enemy’s casemates, but received no return. Came to anchor below Warrenton. Weather still stormy.
Thursday, 26. — A cold, rainy day. Last night the coldest of the season. Yesterday with Dr. Joe and four oarsmen rowed in his large skiff up Elk, three or four miles; caught in a wild storm of rain and sleet.
Had a dispatch today from Captain Simmonds at Gauley; he reports rumors of an early advance on all our posts. “Sensational!” General Scammon in a “stew” about it.
Thursday, 26th—It is very warm and pleasant, and the mud is drying up fast. We have no need for camp guards at this camp. We drew six days’ rations. The Eleventh and Fifteenth Iowa Regiments received orders to move at once down the river. We immediately struck our tents and by 10 o’clock p. m. were on board the “Superior” with all the quartermaster’s supplies, but the boat is to lie here all night. Everything seems to point to a movement upon Vicksburg, and the report is that the fleet, protected by the gunboats, will have to run the blockade, while the troops will have to move by land through Louisiana and cross the river below Vicksburg.
March 26.—Moses Compton has just died; he was a member of the First Alabama Regiment . I have written to his father, in Blount County, Alabama, and sent a lock of his son’s hair, which I always do when I can.
I have only put the names down here of those to whom I have paid the most attention. I take no note of those whom Mrs. W. attends, nor of any who have special friends here.
26th. In the morning played battledore with Melissa. Scored 711 and 637. Made us feel large. D. R. and C. G. who came in last night, were down an hour or two. Went to town. Met Minnie. Called on Lucy Randall at the store, then at Mr. Fairchild’s and at Mr. Lincoln’s door. C. G. and I went to F. A.’s F. H. came up. They played for us. Said goodbye all around. Left at 6:30 with C. G. and Mrs. Norton. Tried to be cheerful.
On Yazoo Pass, Thursday, March 26. A fine day. Health poor. Nausea and diarrhea very bad. Advanced very slowly to-day, the current being swifter than before, so that we are just tossed from tree to tree. Obliged to use the capstan continually. A limb took off one of the escape pipes, another entered the cook room on the second floor. It is with great trouble the men can save themselves from falling limbs. One fell on two boys which came very near proving serious. Passed at 2 P. M. by the “Hamilton Belle”, dispatch boat.
Thursday, 26th—Drill two hours and dress parade. A document from Gov. Lubbock of Texas read, giving an account of presentation of flags of 4th and 5th Texas Infantry of Virginia to the State. Also one or two captured by our Regiment.
Thursday, 26th [March]. Mrs.Dameron,Ginnie, Mrs. White, Mrs. Waugh and myself paid a visit to the establishment of Mr. Burnside. He is very rich and an old bachelor and ladies are often asked to view his gardens and pictures. The house is built and furnished after the European fashion (on a small scale),and is really a bijou of comfort inside, though homely without. The pictures disappointed me, except in two instances. The china-closet had nothing old in it. I have seen a far more beautiful collection of the real antique in my dear mother’s closet at “Portland Manor,” before we sold out in Maryland. Mr. B made his money himself, and I would not in the least object to being as rich as he. Whether new blood or old, I respect blood, but three generations of extreme poverty, with all the mean cares and roughening labors which surely accompanies it, changes its promptings as well as its color. The proud noble, warded off from every detrimental influence, may imagine himself formed by high heaven of the rarest porcelain, but he is a money production after all. And the famous blue blood is but a compound of the best of food and influences, relieved from commonness. I am observer enough to be thus far a materialist. Came home from the tour tired enough. We were desired to leave our names, and as I left that of Mrs. Dameron, the sister-in-law of Mr. Shepherd Brown, the richest man in town, and in whose house General Shepley is now living, I felt sure of being recommended by the servants at least; they were vastly polite and attentive. Mary Ogden and Rose Wilkinson took dinner with us. The latter hopes to get out of town soon. General Sherman has promised her mother a pass and a passage out. This officer has been very kind to the Wilkinsons. When Mrs.W—— was imprisoned he offered to do her shopping for her. Found out that the small round silk capes that we women folk are now wearing are called “Beauregards.” Mrs. White says that that story of the hero which depressed me so, is not true. I hope not—yet, he is a Creole. I have not faith in their domestic relations. Doctor Fenner was up to-day; he is clever, but I do not fancy him somehow. Anything outside of the common path would disturb and shock him. He is well-bred and amiable, however. Mr. Dudley was up with him; we all walked over to Mrs. Dameron’s. Ginnie and I then paid a visit to Mrs. Wells and Mrs. Montgomery. They were very glad to see us.
Mrs. M—— is not long for this world, I think.
The Judge looks rosy and hale as an Englishman. He will live to get another wife, I expect—this is his second—but he is devotedly attached to her.
Heard much report. Read Jeff Davis’ proclamation respecting the day appointed for fasting and prayer. It is to be celebrated to-morrow in the Cathedral in the lower part of the city. The Catholics are bolder here than others; ’tis said that they wish to provoke the Federals to attack them. Even Butler could never awe Father Mullen, who, when summoned to his presence, answered him boldly; when being accused of having refused to bury a Federal, replied fearlessly, “No, sir, I would bury you all with pleasure.” He told Butler that his soul was his own, also his lips, and that he would pray for the Southern Confederacy, and whatsoever he pleased. “Do you know,” said Butler, “that I can send you to Fort Jackson?” “Do you know,” returned Father Mullen, “that I can send your soul to hell?” Butler pronounced Doctor Stone and Father Mullen the boldest and bravest men in town. The first he sent to prison; the latter he never touched. This was because he feared to excite the indignation of his Catholic troops. We will go to the Cathedral if the weather and our health permit. Met Mrs. Miller, a sweet woman, returning from a visit to us in our absence. Found Mr. Waugh, Mrs. Waugh and Annie and Mrs. Evans when we reached home. The burning of the Bio Bio, which took place at the wharf on Sunday, was much discussed. The ladies were discussing whether the damaged silks would not be better and cheaper to wear than the now royal calico. Cotton seems really king at last. We hear daily of the burning of this valuable ware by the Confederates to prevent its falling into Federal hands. The Yankee Era reports the capture of three schooners laden with it at Manchac; also the taking of Pontchatoula by them. There was a great cannon on the newspaper, though no fight had taken place. Our Camp was some miles from Pontchatoula. This cannon belongs to the old press of the Delta, which was taken from its editors among other printing paraphernalia. I remarked that the Yankees had fired this cannon with more effect than any other since the war commenced. They often have it stuck in for a fancied victory. Farragut has been heard of. He is not captured, the Era says, but is on his way to Vicksburg for coal. Barges of it will be brought to him through the famous canal. What can our boats be about if Farragut is free to run our batteries?
WE publish on this page a drawing from a sketch by our special artist, Mr. Theodore R. Davis, representing the unsuccessful effort of the rams Switzerland and Lancaster to run the Vicksburg batteries on the night of 25-26th March. A rebel account mentioned the attempt of the rams, and stated that both were disabled and one sunk. A Union account says:
“Last Wednesday evening the rams Lancaster and Switzerland undertook to run the batteries at Vicksburg. As soon as they came within range the rebels opened a tremendous fire. The Lancaster was struck thirty times. Her entire bow was shot away, causing her to sink immediately, turning a complete somersault as she went down. All the crew except two escaped. The Switzerland was disabled by a 64-pound ball penetrating the steam-drum. She floated down, the batteries still firing and striking her repeatedly, until finally the Albatross ran alongside and towed her to the lower mouth of the canal. The loss of life on her is not ascertained.”
Our correspondent mentions an interesting circumstance. The Lancaster had just sunk under the terrible hail of shot and shell from the rebel batteries. The Switzerland was badly injured, the smoke and steam filling her completely. At that moment Colonel Ellet remembered or perceived that the flag was not in its right place. Instantly ascending to the deck, he caught the halyards and hoisted the bunting in the face of the cheering rebels, while the shower of lead and iron whistled round him. A very gallant exploit. (Harper’s Weekly, April 18, 1863)
Follow on facebook
RSS
email
