Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

July 17, 1861

Page 3

MORE FEDERAL PRIZES CAPTURED—Tallahassee, Fla., July 7—First Lieutenant Burtchal, of the Columbia Rifles, with a guard of six men, arrived yesterday, in charge of a prize crew, First Lieutenant G. L. Seldon, of the U. S. Navy, and nineteen sailors, which were captured on the 2^nd instant, at Cedar Keys, by a detachment of Confederate troops under command of Maj. E. M. Smith, on board the steamer Madison.

Four valuable prizes were taken; among which is the schooner Fanny, with railroad iron, recently captured off the mouth of the Mississippi, by Old Abe’s blockading fleet.

Seldon is Second Lieutenant of the United States steamer Massachusetts. He is a native of Virginia, and is the first naval officer of old Abe’s, who has been captured by confederate forces.

The vessels are now at Cedar Keys, unloading. Fifteen prisoners were found on board the schooner, consisting of the crew, who were greatly rejoiced at their unexpected release.

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]