We reached Jefferson City this morning at sunup after an
uncomfortable night's ride. The water in the river is very low and it seems
that we were fastened on sandbars half the time. Then when the boat was under
way, the boat hands, one on each side of the vessel, were constantly calling
the soundings, “six feet,” “ten feet,” “no bottom,” etc., in that dreadful,
drawling sound, keeping it up all night, and with the thought of that powder on
board — it was not a good night for sleeping. But we landed, and marching out
to the camp, pitched our tents where we were before. We got back all safe and
sound, with one exception, for one of our company took the smallpox and was
left at the pesthouse at Boonville, with only his bunk-mate to care for him.
The weather is quite cool.
Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B.,
Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 24-5
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