e
evening, bringing many presents to the boys. I received a pair of
stockings knit by my dear mother, and the _Atlantic Monthly_ of June 2.
Rec'd mail in the night.

Near Helena, Sunday, March 22. Cloudy and indications of rain. Infantry
embarked. Ordered to be ready to go on at 12 M. but the boats did not
come. Drizzled rain nearly all day. Health none the best. Diarrhea very
bad. Water rising very fast.

On Moon Lake, Monday, March 23. Reveille at 4 A. M. At dawn we commenced
embarking, the left Section under Lieutenant Hood on the "Armada,"
center Section under Simpson on the "Jesse K. Bell." First piece on the
"White Rose." Second piece on the "Rose Hamilton." Rained heavy all day.
2 P. M. we swung off, I being on the "Jesse Bell." Laid off till 4 P. M.
when we entered the Pass, the fourth boat of the fleet. At the mouth it
was about five rods wide. The water shot through at a wild rate. The
wheel was reversed to check the speed of the boat. On we went, through
the woods and short turns until we reached Moon Lake, where it widened.
The Lake is about three miles long, half a mile wide, where we had
smooth sailing until dark, when we tied up near an old negro hut. On the
north side a squad of cavalry encamped close by. A member of the 93rd
Illinois (which is on board with us) was buried near the shore. Made our
bed under the wheels of the pieces, the boat being so crowded; had but
poor rest. Slept as close as "three in the bed and two in the middle."

On Yazoo Pass, Tuesday, March 24. Started at 7 A. M. and kept moving
slowly all day from one tree to the other, backing up nearly as often as
going ahead, often being obliged to tie in order to give room for those
ahead. A limb broke down our left smokestack close to the hurricane
decking notwithstanding they were cut off nearly to the half before
starting. Jack-staff broke twice. All the light-work of the pilot house
brushed off.

5 P. M. passed the foundered boat "Jenny Lind" sunk over the first deck.
She ran on shore and all the goods saved. There were a few soldiers
belonging to the 43rd Indiana with her.

6 P. M. ran afoul, so that we were obliged to tie up for the night in
sight of another wreck a few rods ahead. People may read of this Pass in
time to come, but they will never know what it is until they see it.

On Yazoo Pass, Wednesday, March 25. Awakened by the bell which indicated
that we were about to start. Curiosity soon found me on deck after