Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, January 13, 1863

We moved into the navy yard this morning. Had seven men detailed for guard. I was one of them. We were put on camp, or chain guard. I don't see where the secret service comes in, for my part. I was down to see the ex-reb gunboat, "Gen. Bragg," she was injured at Vicksburg and is being repaired. There are five or six mortar boats lying close to shore.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, pp. 26-7

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, January 19, 1863

We worked all day loading our supplies on the transports. The Ninety-fifth Illinois finished their loading today and are now lying in waiting. The river is quite wide here, one and one-half miles, and is fast rising. There are four mortar boats and one gunboat here, besides a large fleet of transports, some of which are loaded with troops to go down the river, while others are coming from the North with fresh troops. The rebel gunboat, "General Bragg," has just been captured here.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 95