"Mar 10th Tuesday – Comes in Showery. 1 Am, all hands were suddenly drummed to 'quarters.' I had my Stockings off for the first time since I had been in the Service. But I found myself at my 'Station' when the drum ceased beating. Some of the men could not be found until they were hunted up. 1.30 Am, were ordered away from our quarters, with instructions to stand-by, for a sudden call. Soon after, we began to hear heavy firing from the direction of Vicksburg, which quickened in rapidity, until one followed ere the sound died away.
"I went on deck to see if I could see anything. Nothing to be seen, but I heard constant heavy firing from the Vicksburg Batteries. Within the past week Admiral Porter had caused a less formidable 'Lafayette' to be constructed of a Coal barge and empty beef barrels, expressly to run the Vicksburg blockade on its own hook. Accordingly as this evening (the 9th) was dark and stormy, the impromptu Gunboat 'Lafayette' was sent on a roving commission, with the river-current for Steam. The 'ruse' was completely successful, for the rebel guns, were served briskly, and played their ammunition on it for about an hour."