March 19th. This morning we were taken a little by surprise. Not expecting to meet with any opposition along here, we were not altogether prepared for it, as we have been on all former occasions. As no fighting had been anticipated the watch below was allowed to sleep in their hammocks, while the watch on deck got the ship under way. At five A. M. weighed and started ahead, steaming along slowly, and at six forty-five, as we came within range of the enemy’s guns, which they had mounted on high cliffs at this place, known as Grand Gulf, the enemy opened fire upon our ship, causing great excitement as a matter of course. We beat to quarters immediately; as soon as our guns could be brought to bear, we fired our broadside into the enemy’s batteries, and not until we had fired our broadside guns did the watch below know of what was going on. The excitement of those below sleeping, being awakened from their sound slumbers by the report of guns right over their heads, and the enemy’s shots striking the ship in many places, may be more easily imagined than described. We steamed ahead as rapidly as possible, and before our guns could be reloaded we had passed beyond range, although not altogether out of range of the enemy’s guns. We endeavored to train our guns so as to pay them back in their own coin for the damage they had done us, but we were not able to do them any, as our ship had by this time passed too far beyond. The enemy continued to shell us at long range, and the only retaliation we could make was with one heavy rifled gun which we had mounted on the poop deck. The battle was of short duration, lasting altogether about thirty minutes. Our casualties were two killed, and five slightly wounded, while our ship sustained much damage. If we had been aware of the fact that the enemy had fortified this place, we would have been prepared for them, and it is quite probable that we would have done them much more damage than what we did. The enemy got the best of us this time; but as our sailors say it was not a square fight, and when we go down the river again we will show them what are the fighting qualities of the old Hartford. It is quite evident that they know something of them already, as Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Chalmette batteries and Vicksburg, and lastly, Port Hudson can testify to this fact. However, we continued on our course up the river. We met with no further opposition, and at three forty-five P. M., brought ship to anchor twelve miles below Vicksburg, or three miles below Warrenton.
As soon as we came to anchor a small boat was seen approaching from ashore; soon ascertained that the boat contained four men, one of them a Lieutenant, the other a private belonging to our army; they were on picket duty. Seeing our ship approach they knew who we were, so accordingly they came on board to inform our Admiral of what they knew. We were very happy indeed to meet with friends. The Admiral immediately dispatched his secretary, Mr. Gabaudan, to communicate with Admiral Porter’s fleet above Vicksburg. It is reported that we have an army of two hundred thousand men in the vicinity of Vicksburg. It is very probable that an attack will be made upon this place very soon. It is doubtful, however, whether we participate in the attack, as we are alone.
At five thirty P. M., called all hands to bury the dead; read the funeral services over the bodies of Charles Sweeney, seaman, and Dennis Driscoll, landsman; sent an officer on shore in charge of bodies to see them interred. The Lieutenant who came off to the ship in the small boat brought with him two prisoners; placed them in confinement on suspicion of being in rebel employ.