After an early breakfast we left bivouac at 6 o'clock and
took up our march. By noon we reached the Mississippi river, where we took
boat, and going down about two miles landed on the east bank at Grand Gulf or
Hard Times Landing — where the town once was. The town was destroyed just a
year ago by the Union fleet, and there is nothing left but the streets and
sidewalks. We went into camp here to stay until relieved.
Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s
Civil War Diary, p. 115
