February 20, 1862: Action in the Gulf

**  Armed boat expedition from the USS New London, Lt. A. Read, captured 12 small sloops and schooners at Cat Island, Mississippi, suspected of being used as pilot vessels by blockade runners.

**  The USS Portsmouth, Commander Swartwout, captured sloop Pioneer off Boca Chica, Texas, with cargo of tobacco.

--Old B-R'er