Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

sir: I last had the honor of addressing you under date of November 4, per schooner J. J. Spencer, enclosing abstract log of the United States bark W. G. Anderson to that date, and, to my regret, had nothing to report to the department of any moment.

I now have the gratification to inform you that we have been fortunate enough to capture the rebel privateer schooner Beauregard, one hundred and one tons, of and from Charleston, seven days out, and manned by a captain, two lieutenants, purser, and twenty-three seamen--twenty-seven, all told — and carrying a rifled pivot-gun throwing a twenty-four-pound projectile.

This occurred under the following circumstances: Since November 4, we have cruised along to the northward of the West India Islands and passages, steering westwardly, without seeing but one sail. After standing to within seventy miles of the Hole in the Wall, we turned our head to eastward again, and on November 12, in latitude 26°40′, longitude 75°42′, at daylight, made a schooner running before the wind toward us. On approaching within four miles he suddenly hauled by the wind, and, as we noticed many men on his decks, we immediately made sail in chase, and in two hours brought her to under our lee, and ordered the captain on board with his papers. He brought a letter of marque from Jefferson Davis, which he surrendered with his vessel.

We put a prize-master and crew on board, and transferred the prisoners to our ship, placing them in double-irons.

On boarding her, the crew were found in a drunken state, committing all the destruction they could — throwing overboard the arms and ammunition, spiking the gun, and cutting the sails and rigging to pieces. She was otherwise in bad order and poorly found, and having but a short supply of water, of which we had none to spare, was in no condition to send to Boston.

Having twenty-seven prisoners, and no room for them on board the W. G. Anderson, I decided, as we were within three days sail of Key West, to take them and the vessel into that port and deliver them to the proper authorities, and thence return to my cruising-ground. I also am desirous of procuring, if possible, some ballast, of which the bark is very much in need.

Trusting that my proceedings will meet with your approbation, I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,