War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies
    

A Prize Capture

Abstract of log of U. S. brig Perry, Lieutenant E.G. Parrott, U. S. Navy, commanding.
June 3, 1861.—(Latitude, 32°47′; longitude, 78°52′.) Boarded Bremen bark Copernicus, bound for Baltimore. She certified that she had been boarded by the Minnesota and warned not to enter any port south of the Chesapeake. At 2 saw light-house bearing N.W.by W. At 4 discovered a brig and a schooner; schooner a mile astern of brig. At 4:40 p.m., movements of the schooner being suspicious, gave chase to her. At 5 saw that schooner had a gun. At6:10 schooner hoisted colors and kept them up only for a moment, but we could not make them out. At 7:15 fired a shot ahead of her, but she showed no colors. At 7:50, it being quite dark and the brig out of sight, opened fire on the schooner, which she returned. Several of her shot passed over us. At 8:10 schooner ceased firing and we lost sight of her for a moment. It proved that she had lowered her sails to slow her submission. Wore around and passed near her without firing, asking if she had surrendered. Sent a boat on board of her with Lieutenant J. N. Miller; returned, bringing her captain, several officers, and the captain of the brig Joseph, of Rockland, Me., which brig had been captured by the schooner and was the vessel seen near her. At 12 m. she followed us, under the charge of Master’s Mate Palmer and 6 men. Found the prize to be the privateer Savannah, of Charleston, S. C., Captain T. H. Baker, sailing under a letter of marque, signed by Jefferson Davis. She left Charleston the 2d of June on her first cruise. During the action expended 14 shell and 2 round shot.
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