April 27, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 27-Sunday

     Warm and pleasant as usual.

     Our usual Sunday Inspection this morning. the men are all looking finely and doing well considering their long confinement on board ship.

     Gunboats to day have been going up the river 5 or 6 have gone up. but none come down to bring us news. I do wish we could go up and see what they are about and if we can judge from appearances Gen Phelps & Col Dudley are both anxious to be doing something besides laying here idle. Gen. Phelps says if the Rum[Ram] comes down he thinks we can take it. at any rate we will make the trial. and I think he would. For he does not know the meaning of the word fear, and is as cool us a piece of ice on a 4th of July.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Sunday 27
     Pleasant again.  there was a fire raft
     Went down the river this morn but done
     No harm.  the rebels hate to come to terms
     But the Maj Gen wont wait for long for
     Them.  the men all well considering
     Had inspection by the Colonel.
     Divine worship this PM we expect
     To be in the Queen City of the
     South within a week.  that means
     New Orleans.  Oh Yes.  i guess.