The Dawn was out of commission at New York from 9 July to 2 December 1863 for repairs. She departed on 10 December to her new duties with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron and cruised the James River from 14 December to 25 March 1865. There, she performed picket duties and kept Confederate batteries from operating along the river.
On 24 May 1864 she played a major role in defending Wilson's Wharf, Virginia, near Charles City. The garrison there consisted of 1,100 United States Colored Troops (USCT) under the command of Bigadier General Edward A. Wild. They were attacked by a 2,500 man force of Confederates under the command of Major Genral Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of Robert E. Lee).
The stout resistance of the USCT soldiers and the Dawn turned the tide and the Confederates were driven back. Wilson's Wharf and the soon to be completed Fort Pochahontas remained in Union hands for the duration of the war.
The Dawn was placed out of commission on 17 June 1865 at Portsmouth Navy Yard and later taken to Boston Navy yard and sold 1 November.
--Old B-Runner
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