a
good night's sleep. A beautiful morning. The "Steam Nigger" was set to
work trying to extricate us, and after an hour's tug we swung loose.
Passed the wreck of "Luella" a small screw propeller. She was nearly all
under water. Barrels and boxes of commissary stores all around,
floating.

9 A. M. passed a plantation with inhabitants, the first seen since we
started. A neat log house and spring in door-yard reminded me of the
home of my childhood

"How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollections present them to view."

Evening. Saw considerable dry land to-day on the right. Passed some
plantations, apparently wealthy. Colonel Putnam sent a detail out in the
yawl at 3 P. M. Brought in seven sheep, also in the evening brought in a
good beef. Gave a piece to the Battery boys. Tied up near the plantation
of the rebel General Elkhorn who had been paroled. Only twelve miles
from Helena by road yet. Six to Coldwater. Heavy picket thrown out.

[Sidenote: 1863 On the Yazoo]

On Yazoo Pass, Thursday, March 26. A fine day. Health poor. Nausea and
diarrhea very bad. Advanced very slowly to-day, the current being
swifter than before, so that we are just tossed from tree to tree.
Obliged to use the capstan continually. A limb took off one of the
escape pipes, another entered the cook room on the second floor. It is
with great trouble the men can save themselves from falling limbs. One
fell on two boys which came very near proving serious. Passed at 2 P. M.
by the "Hamilton Belle", dispatch boat.

On the Coldwater, Friday, March 27. Started early on our tedious
journey, being only four miles from where we stopped night before.
Passed by the packet "Wenona," had some mail aboard, could not get it.
Health still very bad, diarrhea, poor appetite. Got some biscuit (light)
from the cook, but could not eat much. Could I but get a good draught
of milk and good graham bread of Sister Mary, methinks I would soon
feel well. Better for my case than the opium pills, which is all the
doctor would give me. Felt rather homesick. Cloudy, some rain. Entered
Coldwater at 3 P. M. Little better scenery.

On the Coldwater, Saturday, March 28. Met six boats from below. Report
General Quinby's headquarters 190 miles at the mouth of Tallahatchie.
Boats badly seamed.

On the Coldwater, Sunday, March 29. Cold, disagreeable. Sleet and rain
part of the time. Health much better. Tied up near shore. Got our horses