For three days she remained at her new anchorage, this period of enforced inactivity being diligently employed in drilling and exercising the crew, and bringing the vessel generally into somewhat better order than her hurried equipment had as yet permitted her to assume.  On the 21st June, however, intelligence was received that the Powhattan had left her station in chase of two vessels, and that a boat from the Brooklyn had passed into the river, and was making for the telegraph station.  Captain Semmes at once decided to avail himself of this opportunity to escape to sea, and getting up steam, proceeded to Pass a L’Outre, and despatched one of his boats to the lighthouse for a pilot.

Here, however, an unexpected difficulty occurred.  The light-house-keeper replied that he knew nothing of the pilots, and the Sumter was accordingly compelled again to bring up, whilst the Confederate privateer Ivy ran down, at Captain Semmes’ request, to the South-west Pass, to endeavour to procure a pilot for her there.  This expedition, however, met with no better success, and the Ivy returned with the information that the pilots refused to take charge of the vessel.  A further despatch was addressed to Captain Semmes, from the Captain of the House of Pilots, to the effect that “no pilots were now on duty.”

It now became necessary to act with vigour, and the Ivy was accordingly again despatched to the South-west Pass.  This time, however, she carried with her the first lieutenant of the Sumter, with the following peremptory message to the Master of the Pilot Association to repair immediately on board, and instructions, if any hesitation were evinced in complying with this command, to arrest the entire body and bring them off:—­

   C.S. steamer Sumter, Head of the Passes
   June 22nd, 1861.

Sir,—­This is to command you to repair on board this ship with three or four of the most experienced pilots of the Bar.  I am surprised to learn that an unwillingness has been expressed by some of the pilots of your Association to come on board the Sumter, and my purpose is to test the fact of such disloyalty to the Confederate States.  If any man disobey this summons, I will not only have his Branch taken away from him, but I will send an armed force and arrest and bring him on board.  I have the honour to be,

   Very respectfully,

   Your obedient Servant,

   (Signed) R. Semmes.

This extreme measure, however, was not found necessary.  The mere threat was sufficient, and on the following day the master, with several of his pilots, made their appearance on board the Sumter.  After a brief consultation with Captain Semmes, they one and all, with the exception of the master, expressed their willingness to take the vessel to sea, and thereupon the captain, selecting one of the number for this service, permitted the remainder to depart.