USS MALVERN deck log: From the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 12, p. 176

Abstract log the U. S. S. Malvern, February 5 to April 14, 1865.

...April 2.—At 12:30 a.m. Colonel Bowers, of General Grant's staff came on board with dispatches for Admiral Porter; an army tug also came alongside with dispatches for the Admiral. At 12:30 heard heavy and rapid firing in the direction of Dutch Gap, apparently from our fleet. At 1:30 the firing ceased and commenced again at 1:50 in the direction of Appomattox River. At 2 all tiring ceased. At 4:10 heard heavy and rapid artillery firing along our lines, apparently in the neighborhood of Petersburg. At 4:45 heard heavy volleys of musketry and artillery in the direction of Dutch Gap. At 9:45 Admiral Porter left the ship. Heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg. At 2:30 p. m. expedition left the fleet composed of all men able to bear arms, to go on shore. From 8 to midnight four gunboats came down the James River and anchored off Bermuda Hundred; heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg.
April 3.— From midnight to 4 a. m. heard heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg, also saw a large tire in the same direction. At 3:15 a heavy explosion took place in the direction of Petersburg. At 4:35 a heavy explosion in W. N. W. direction. At 5:25 explosion heard in a N. W. direction. At 7:30 Captain Adams came on board and reported the evacuation of Richmond. At 9:30 heard a loud explosion in N.N. W. direction. At 9:40 received the news of the evacuation of Richmond and the occupation of it by our forces. At 1:20 the Columbia, with rebel prisoners on board, weighed anchor and proceeded down the river.
April 4.— At 1:30 a. m. the Commodore Morris came down the Appomattox River with a number of pontoons going up to Dutch Gap. At 9 the steamer River Queen proceeded up the river with the President on board. At 10 anchored, waiting for the President. At 10:35 the River Queen coming up, got underway and proceeded up slowly. At noon passed Aiken's Landing. At 1:40 p m. came to anchor near Fort Darling. At 4:35 arrived off the Rocketts and anchored; fired a salute of 35 guns.
April 5.—At 10 the Maumee arrived. Major-General Weitzel came on board. At 11:30 President Lincoln and suite left the ship. The Sassacus arrived. A marine guard of 24 men left the ship as guard to the President.
April 6.—At 11 p. m. Colonel Bowers came on board with dispatches for the Admiral.
April 7.—At 8:30 a.m. the President and Admiral Porter left the ship. At 8:50 the President's boat, River Queen, came down the river.
April 10.—Lying at anchor off Richmond, Va. At 5:40 a. m. all the vessels of this fleet fired a salute of thirty-five guns each, in honor of the capture of the rebel General Robert E. Lee and his entire command. At 7:15 got underway and proceeded down the river. At 11:50 arrived off City Point and anchored.
April 14.—At 9 a. m. Admiral D. D. Porter left this ship and hoisted his flag on the Tristram Shandy and proceeded down the river. At 10 quarters for inspection, Captain W. C. Wise turning the ship over to Lieutenant Bache.

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