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.