Cruise of the U.S. Flag-Ship Hartford – From the Personal Journal of Wm. C. Holton.

April 20th. Still lying to an anchor off the mouth of Red River. The ram Switzerland, Commander Col. Ellet, and Albatross, Lieut.-Commander Hart, at anchor ahead of us, close in shore. Let me here remark, before going any further (since I think the reader is not aware of the fact), that the crew stand watch and watch every night at their guns. They are allowed to lie down on deck between same, and go to sleep. This is a necessary precaution against a surprise, and to have the men near at hand should the enemy be so foolish as to attack us where we are. We were also expecting daily to hear of Gen. Banks, who had gone around by way of Brashear City, from New Orleans to Alexandria, capturing and taking possession of same, and of seeing some of his transports some night, coming down and out of Red River. Warm and pleasant weather. All quiet on the Rappahannock—(I mean on the Mississippi.)