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These losses must greatly lessen the means of the rebel authorities to export cotton, obtain supplies, and sustain their credit, and thus dispirit and weaken them very much.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, yours,
S. P. Lee, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron. Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Report of Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Edward F. Devens.
sir: I would most respectfully report that the steamer stranded between Tubb's Inlet and Little River is the blockade-runner Vesta.
Boarded her this A. M., made a hawser fast to her, but on examining her found her whole starboard side opened and several of the plates split; took two anchors from her, which was all we could save.
The-Vesta was exactly like the Ceres.
I left her a complete wreck, with five feet of water in her; her boats lay on the beach, badly stove.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Edward F. Devens, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. Acting Rear-Admiral S. P. Lee, Commanding N. A. B. Squadron.
