Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Sunday, 29th.—Very hard storm of wind and rain last night; Steamboat “Vicksburg” broke loose and went off down the river. Regiment on guard in town; went back to camp and found almost every tent blown down.

March.—Nothing special occurred up to the 23d of March. On the 16th, paid $15.00 for hat; on 23d, regiment went down to Warrenton on picket, but Brother I. L. being sick, I was left to wait on him.

Saturday, 28th.—This morning Company B concluded to have some meat. In a very few minutes they had five fine hogs dead. A few minutes later they were under guard, and on their way to General Taylor’s quarters. Capture of the Indianola confirmed, but was so badly damaged had to be left in charge of an officer and a few men to be repaired as soon as possible, and then taken to the mouth of Red River, to be added to the Confederate fleet there. But the Yanks, finding it out, played a regular Yankee trick. Taking a large flat boat, and sticking up empty flour barrels for chimneys, made it to look as much like a gunboat as possible, it was towed down as near the rebel batteries as they could come in safety, and turned loose. Soon the very earth trembled from the rapid discharges of the heaviest rebel guns along the river. It being so dark, they could only see the bulk. The monster glided swiftly on, passing all the batteries, it being so light, that if struck, it would not sink. Soon it made its appearance at Grand Gulf, when the batteries there opened with redoubled fury; still it passed on. The officer in charge of the “Indianola,” thinking such an impregnable monster was coming, blew up the Indianola and left without further ceremony.

Thursday, 26.—Beef so poor regiment refused to draw it for rations.

March 25th.—Two gunboats undertook to pass the batteries just at daylight this morning; one sunk in front of town; other badly damaged; reported sunk at 12 M.

Wednesday, 25th.—Capture of the “Queen of the West” confirmed. Reported that the Indianola, the gunboat that passed batteries 13, also captured.

Sunday, 22d.—1 P. M., heavy cannonading; supposed to be salute in honor of Washington’s birthday.

Friday, 20th.—”Queen of the West” reported captured by our little fleet from the mouth of Red River.

Thursday, 19th.—Went down to near Warrenton, twelve miles; on picket. Some cannonading up the river.