June 18th. Bombardment of Port Hudson by our army and navy going on at an early hour this morning; at three forty-five P. M., the steamer Arizona came down the river. Nothing more worthy of mention occurred during the day.
Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford–Wm. C. Holton
June 17th. Early this morning, mortars of lower fleet firing at intervals. At ten A. M. gunboat Sachem came down the river with despatches, and anchored ahead of the Albatross, off Falls river; burned several buildings on left bank of river; artillery and musketry firing in rear of Port Hudson, which continued until twelve o’clock; at ten thirty P. M., two rockets were seen sent up from Port Hudson.
June 16. Commences with pleasant weather, and the bombardment of Port Hudson still going on—enemy not deigning to make any reply; at ten A. M. received some fresh beef on board from shore, for ship’s company. Gunboat Estrella, and steamers Louisiana Belle and Bee, got under way and started up the river—destination, Bayou Sara. Saw a fire in the vicinity of the upper batteries at Port Hudson. Steamer Bee came down the river, during the afternoon, with despatches; at three P. M. heavy squalls of wind and rain. Between the hours of six and eight o’clock, received provisions from lower fleet, overland.
June 15th. At 1 o’clock A. M. the mortars of the army and navy firing into Port Hudson; at two forty-five A. M. the mortars of lower fleet ceased bombardment. From this time up to four A. M. brisk firing of musketry—the rebels replying with two guns; at two thirty P. M. got up steam; at four P. M. hauled fires; at nine fifteen P. M. beat to quarters. Several transports came down from Bayou Sara, on account of guerillas being about.
June 14th. At ten A. M. inspected crew at quarters, and performed Divine service. Slight artillery and musketry-firing in the rear of Port Hudson. Slight northerly breezes. Bombardment of Port Hudson, by the army and navy, kept up throughout this day, with slight intermission.
June 13th. A fire was seen early this morning down by the lower fleet, also at the same time, heavy bombardment of Port Hudson going on, by our army and naval forces. Between the hours of four and eight A. M., heavy firing of musketry, artillery, &c., at Port Hudson; at nine A. M. inspected crew at quarters; at five P. M. the Albatross came down the river and anchored ahead of us. Mortars of lower fleet still firing, and the rebels replying with their lower batteries; at ten o’clock P. M., our mortar schooners still at work in their attempt to reduce Port Hudson. Clear and pleasant weather the whole of the twenty-four hours.
June 12th. At one thirty A. M., steamer Laurel Hill came down from Natchez, with despatches. Occasional artillery firing, also navy and army mortars bombarding the batteries of Port Hudson—rebels reply with a large rifle; at eight A. M., heavy musketry and artillery firing in rear of Port Hudson. Steamer Bee, despatch boat, came down from Bayou Sara; at eleven twenty P. M., the mortar vessels of lower fleet engaged the rebel batteries, and making some good shots.
June 11th. Commenced with pleasant weather, wind from the S. W.; at three thirty A. NI., a squall of wind came up, we having only one anchor down, the starboard one, thought proper to let the good old ship ride the gale out with two, so let go the port anchor; we had no sooner let it go, than we had to heave it up again, as the blow, or tornado, it seemed, coming on, was all over with. Mortar boats engaged bombarding Port Hudson batteries. Squally and rainy weather; at six P. M. raining very hard—clearing off between seven and eight o’clock—accompanied by fresh breezes from S. S. E. Firing at Port Hudson continued the whole of these twenty-four hours.
June 10th. Commenced with pleasant but warm weather. Thin clothing is the order of the day. At a little before daylight, the mortar vessels of lower fleet, engaging the rebel batteries; at nine A. M., inspected crew at quarters; at about this hour, great guns were fired in and in the rear of Port Hudson. During the watch from eight P. M. to midnight, the mortars inland, of the army, shelling the rebel works.
June 9th. Commences with calm and warm weather. Mortar vessels bombarding batteries at Port Hudson from one thirty to four A. M. Between the hours of ten and twelve o’clock M., a cavalry detachment made a reconnoissance to left bank of land. The bombardment of Port Hudson by our army and navy continued, with slight intervals, during the whole of this day.
