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May 26th. Commences with pleasant weather, and only to find us engaged in shelling the woods around Port Hudson, which proved a big scare to the rebels, so much so that they deserted two fine river steamers they had concealed among the bushes upon what is called (it is a small stream) Thompson’s Creek, and our pickets took possession of them; our shelling continued, at intervals, from twelve to one forty A. M., of this watch, the Albatross participating in it; so there was no sleep last night on board the Hartford; at four o’clock beat to general quarters again, and shelled the woods in rear of Port Hudson; mortar vessels of the lower fleet also engaged shelling the rebel works; at five thirty hove up anchor, got under way, and dropped down to our old anchorage near the port, opposite Port Hudson, and anchored; at ten o’clock sent third cutter to land Mr. Watson, who is going across the point to take our mail for the North, and despatches for the Admiral; between the hours of five and six o’clock, P. M., saw a large fire burning at Port Hudson; sent third cutter, armed, ashore for our messenger.