Thanks for the reply. Turns out the man was Surgeon James Lawlor Kiernan (1837-1869). The articles said he also had been commander of the fortress at Milliken's Bend for a time and I found him that way. His account is vague in part, very personal in part, and takes a very high view of the war in other parts, but it is interesting throughout. It was published serially, about once a week, in San Francisco's Daily Alta California, from April 7 though June 24, 1867. It can be accessed at http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=p&p=home&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN .

Thanks again for your thorough reply.