Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

sir: I have the honor to report to the department the capture, on the twenty-fourth instant, of the British steamer Scotia, by the United States bark Restless, acting volunteer Lieut. E. Conroy commanding, off Bull's Bay.

The steamer was discovered at daylight standing toward Bull's Island. Acting volunteer Lieutenant Conroy immediately got under weigh with his vessel, and at the same time sent two armed boats to the leeward of the steamer, which forced her to run ashore. He then ran in with the Restless to cut her off and keep her from running out should she get off before the boats could reach her. When the boats got alongside it was discovered that the captain, an old offender, named Libby, with a gentleman and a lady, (passengers,) had left the steamer in an open boat; the crew were in a state of intoxication, so that they became almost unmanageable, and Lieut. Conroy ordered them to be transferred on board the Restless, and put in irons.

Lieut. Conroy did not succeed in getting her off until the morning of the twenty-sixth, during which time he was compelled to anchor with the Restless within gunshot of the prize, to protect her, and at low-tide his own vessel touched bottom several times, but without sustaining any any material injury. He reports the loss, by drowning, of John Martin, (seaman,) of the Restless, and a fireman of the Scotia, in consequence of the swamping of a boat in trying to get out a hawser. In getting off the Scotia, and afterward in bringing her to Port Royal, the engineers of that vessel rendered every assistance in their power, for which Lieut. Conroy promised that they should receive compensation.

I have further the honor to report the capture at Bull's Bay, on the twenty-seventh, of the British steamer Anglia, by the boats of the United States steamer Flag.

The Restless, then under the command of Acting Master Griswold, （Lieut. Conroy being temporarily under command of the Scotia,) had discovered the steamer entering Bull's Bay the evening before, but she having passed so far to the windward of her, the Restless could not prevent her getting in, and having only one small boat belonging to the ship, Acting Master Griswold did not think it prudent send her in pursuit, but he got the Restless in a position to command the channel, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the steamer.

On the next day the Flag Lieutenant Conroy on board, on his way to join his vessel, arrived at the anchorage of the Restless, and on receiving the above information, Commodore Strong, under the pilotage of Lieut. Conroy, ran the Flag close to the bar, which his vessel could not cross, and despatched four armed gunboats, under Lieuts. Carpenter and Conroy, inside of Bull's Island.

The steamer was discovered on shore near Jack Creek, about four miles from the entrance of Bull's Bay, but was soon safely got off-all of her officers and crew being on board, except the pilot and six men, who had gone to Charleston the evening previous. The crew rendered every assistance in getting her off. Lieut. Conroy then piloted the Anglia out of Bull's Bay and over the bar.

The Anglia, when captured, was almost out of coal, and was sent by Capt. Godon, senior officer off Charleston harbor, to be supplied. She is the same vessel which attempted on the night of the nineteenth of September last, to enter Charleston harbor by Sanford's channel, but was headed off, though she succeeded in escaping in the darkness.

I shall despatch both these steamers North as soon as possible.

Before closing this despatch, I cannot forbear calling the attention of the department to the energy and activity displayed by Acting Lieut. Conroy, of the Restless.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

On Friday morning last, at daylight, a steamer was discovered trying to get in this — Bull's Bay — channel. I got the ship under way, and sent two armed boats, and with the bark cut her off. The captain of the steamer, finding himself intercepted, preferred running his vessel on shore to being sunk by my guns. We captured her at seven o'clock in the morning. She proved to be the famous steamship Scotia, which has run the blockade many times. We had very hard work getting her off. We were obliged to throw overboard [42] almost all her coals and every thing heavy, even her machinery, that could be spared. On Sunday morning she was sufficiently lightened to be taken off the coast. She was immediately sent, with an officer and a prize crew, to Port Royal.

On my return on Sunday to my ship on board the steamer Flag, (the Restless had been lying off the Bay, where the Scotia was captured,) I found that another steamer had run in on the day we had left, and that she also was in a trap. I manned two boats from my own vessel (the Restless) and two from the Flag, and in command of the first division of the boats we went in and “cut her out” also. At half-past 6 P. M. we captured her. Steam was up and she was ready to start for Charleston as soon as the night came on. We brought her out and anchored her under the guns of the Restless and the Flag. She proved to be the English steamer Anglia, with a very valuable cargo. This, with the cargo of the Scotia, will be worth half a million of dollars. Both steamers are very fine vessels.

The cargoes consists of Sharpe's rifles, powder, teas, coffees, brandy, boots and shoes, linen goods, and drugs.

I am much elated at my success in depriving the rebels of supplies which were so important to them, and this thought gives me much greater satisfaction than any pecuniary interest I may have in the captured vessels.