June 28th. Commences with pleasant weather. Occasional firing at Port Hudson by the army mortars and great guns. At nine fifty A. M., inspected crew at quarters, and performed Divine service. Firing still going on at Port Hudson. This afternoon despatches were sent by Paymaster Meredith to Gen. Banks’s headquarters. At one P. M. an orderly came on board from the General’s headquarters. Steamer Bee came down the river, from Bayou Sara, with despatches and three soldiers of the 75th regiment N. Y. V., who were arrested at St. Francisville. From eight o’clock to twelve midnight, artillery firing heard in the rear of Port Hudson.
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton
June 27th. At seven thirty A. M., steamer Bee came down from Bayou Sara. Cannonading going on at Port Hudson all this day.
June 26th. This morning received on board two deserters from Port Hudson. They made their escape by swimming Thompson’s creek, and report the rebel garrison living on half rations, and in expectancy of soon having to eat mule beef. If such be the case, Port Hudson must soon be surrendered to our forces. Many are deserting from there at present, and coming within our lines. From four to six P. M., firing going on at Port Hudson; from eight o’clock to midnight, moderate firing from mortars and guns of lower fleet upon the enemy’s works.
June 25th. Early this morning, before daylight, slight firing of musketry and artillery commenced, and continued during nearly the whole day, at Port Hudson.
June 24th. At seven thirty A. M. the steamer Bee came down the river with despatches. All quiet at Port Hudson.
June 23d. The forenoon of this day pleasant, but afternoon and evening squally and rainy. Firing at intervals heard at Port Hudson during the whole day.
June 22d. Firing of musketry and artillery the whole forenoon of this day, in rear of Port Hudson. At nine P. M. steamer Laurel Hill arrived from Natchez.
June 21st. Commences with pleasant weather. From twelve to four A. M., heavy firing going on at Port Hudson, mostly of musketry. At ten A. M., inspected crew at quarters, and performed Divine service upon the quarter-deck. Between the hours of eight P. M. and twelve midnight, heard reports of great guns in rear of Port Hudson.
June 20th. Slight firing early this morning in rear of Port Hudson; at five A. M. the steamer Bee arrived from above Bayou Sara, having on board the pilot of gunboat Lafayette, who has come down as bearer of despatches to Commodore Palmer. At four twenty P. M., heavy artillery firing going on in rear of Port Hudson, showing that our army is not asleep, but on the other hand, harassing the enemy by day, while our mortar schooners and sloops-of-war of lower fleet harass him by night. I think by this plan of operations by the army and navy, the rebels cut off from obtaining supplies, will soon have to surrender to our forces.
June 19th. Commences with calm and pleasant weather. At nine A. M., inspected crew at quarters. Mr. Watson and Lieut. Eaton of U. S. A. signal Corps, went overland to lower fleet. From eight P. M. to midnight, occasional firing in rear of Port Hudson.
