off across the "White Rose"; gave them good exercise. Stretched a
picket, left them for the night. A solitary tent with two cases of
smallpox was to be seen, left by the Louisiana fleet. Wrote home.

On the Yazoo, Monday, March 30. Awakened by one of the boys telling that
the boats had started and left my team ashore, with five others, and the
Lieut., Runyan, Dixon and Ed Hayes. The boat was anxious to lead out,
hence the haste. 10 A. M. obliged to tie up and repair. A limb disabled
the wheel. Passed by the rest of the fleet. 5 P. M. entered the
Tallahatchie, Gunboat No. 5 lying at the mouth. Got my letter on the
"Alone". Tied up near a saw mill, which was soon in a blaze. Rain and
some snow. Strange.

On the Yazoo, Tuesday, March 31. Fair day. Started early but advanced
very slowly, doing much damage to the boat, notwithstanding the stream
being better. Very unskillful management. Broke the engines 3 P. M. Had
to stop for repairs, where we laid till next morning. Got our guns in
position for action. Music and dancing in the evening on the
"forecastle". Man died in the cabin.

On the Yazoo, Wednesday, April 1. Made good headway to-day with but
little stoppage. 12 M. landed to take on those left behind and some
forage left by the fleet, which had left about two hours before. Buried
the corpse and started on. Passed some beautiful plantations with plenty
of hogs and cattle, which naturally made our mouths water. Passed the
"Pike" at sundown, in a sinking condition. Foraging parties brought in
fresh meat in plenty. After tying up, cannonading heard at night. Had a
slight attack of ague.

[Sidenote: 1863 Burning Property]

On the Yazoo, Thursday, April 2. Very fine. Good country and fine
sailing. 12 M. a miscreant fired into the boat and wounded a member of
the 93rd severely, the ball entering his left breast. The boat rounded
to and tied up, and in an instant the whole regiment was in confusion,
running for their arms, etc., etc. Skirmishers were sent out, while
Colonel Putnam went with a force in a yawl in search, but returned in an
hour; failed to find him, but brought along the man of the house that
harbored him as prisoner, after reducing his house to ashes. Nearly all
the boats were fired into in a similar manner.

5 P. M. came up to the boats and tied up for the night, staging run out
and the horses taken off and exercised. It was at a large plantation of
several hundred acres. I rode the Lieutenant's