Fridy, June 21.—Practiced the crew at division quarters in the morning and at general quarters in the afternoon and tried a couple of shell with the Borman fuse. Just at nightfall I received the following dispatch:
June 21, 1861.
Captain: I am desired by the commanding officer to state that the Iry reports that the Powhatan has left in pursuit of two ships, and that he has received a telegram from Pass à l’Outre to the effect that a boat from the Brooklyn had put into the river and was making for the telegraph station, where she was expected to arrive in a few minutes.
Got up steam and steamed down to the Head of the Passes, where we came to at 10:30 p . m . Dispatched a boat to the light-house to pro cure a pilot, but the keeper knew nothing of the pilots and was unwilling to come on board, though requested. Sent a boat also on board the Ivy, privateer, with a request either that she would supply us with a pilot or go down to the Southwest Pass and procure one.