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

July 10th. At six o’clock this morning we hove up anchor, got under way, and steamed up to the batteries at Port Hudson, the Albatross in company with us. Came to anchor off same; hove up anchor and shifted our berth on account of eddies; some of our officers left the ship to visit the place which had lately gained so much notoriety; at eleven thirty Major-General Banks visited the ship, and at twelve forty-five left same to go ashore; the blue jackets manned the rigging and gave him three cheers, which he acknowledged by uncovering his head and politely bowing; at one o’clock got under way again and started down the river. When a short distance below Port Hudson passed and spoke the gunboat Winona coming up; she stated that she had despatches from the Admiral for Commodore Palmer and Capt. Jenkins of the U. S. steam sloop-of-war Richmond. We told her to come within hail, but since she did not seem to hear us, still keeping on her course, we sent the Albatross up after her to get the despatches for first-named party. We continued on our way down the Mississippi; at five thirty came to anchor off Baton Rouge.