Sunday, August 18.—Weather clear, with a light breeze from the eastward, which freshened as the day advanced, and gave us a fresh breeze toward nightfall. After passing Port Orange we ran over another 3-fathom bank, the water deepening beyond, enabling us to head in toward the coast as we approached Bram Point, off which we anchored (near the buoy on the bar) at 5:20 p.m. in 4 fathoms. Mustered the crew and read the articles of war. I had much perplexity in finding the mouth of the Surinam, such is the sameness of the coast. At 6 p.m. a steamer was described in the west, steering for the harbor. Night setting in soon afterwards, we could not make her out. Went to quarters and cleared for action. Got up the smokestack and lighted the fires and made preparations for slipping the chain. At about 10:30 the stranger came up and anchored outside of us at the distance of about 4 miles. I concluded from the movement that she must be an enemy, as probably a mail steamer would have run the bar without waiting for daylight. I therefore directed all hands to be called at 4:30 a.m., and all preparations renewed for battle, with steam up, etc.
Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter
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