"Sir: I have the honor to report that on the morning of this date, while near the beach, saw a blockade runner running along the beach; gave chase, fired several guns and rockets, but at last lost sight of her; stood back to my station and steamed along the beach to the north and about 5.30 a.m. saw another steamer running along the shore to the southward; stood in to cut him off, when he turned directly toward me, evidently with the intention of running me down, which I avoided, in part, owing to this vessel answering her helm with great quickness. He struck me forward, both vessels running at great speed. As we came together, I fired a broadside--grape, canister, and shell--and immediately boarded him and took possession. In securing the prisoners a lot of shavings and a slow match attached to a keg of powder were found in the run, the captain acknowledging his intention to destroy the vessel. The collision broke bowsprit, stove all my starboard boats, broke beam, also some planks near the wood ends, damaged guard, chain plates, and caused her decks to leak badly. We have three men wounded; also four of the crew of the Confederate steamer, one dangerously, by grape or shell. The blockade runner, which proved to be the _Ella and Annie_, of Charleston, S.C., is 905 tons; is in good order with the exception of numerous shot holes in her upper works. Her cargo consists, as near as we can ascertain, of rifles, salt, saltpeter, paper, and hardware. She is a Confederate steamer, officered mostly [by men] of the Confederate Navy. She was captured off Masonboro Inlet in four fathoms water, eighteen miles north of Fort Fisher; no vessel in signal distance or in sight immediately after her capture. Steamed toward the fleet, and in about half an hour made the mastheads of a vessel which proved to be the U.S.S. _Shenandoah_, and shortly after seven o'clock came to anchor about three miles north of the senior officer's usual station. About half an hour afterwards the _Shenandoah_ came to anchor near us, and contrary to the usual custom the senior officer sent his own prize master on board. Transferred the following officers and crew on board the _Ella and Annie_ by order of senior officer: Acting Ensign J.J. Reagean, Acting Third Assistant Engineer J.J. Sullivan, one fireman, one ordinary seaman, three landsmen, and two black refugees. "Very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "J.B. Breck, "_Commanding U.S.S. 'Niphon.'_ "Hon. Gideon Welles, "_Secretary U.S. Navy, Washington, D.C._" (Third Report of Acting Master Breck, U.S. Navy, Commanding U.S.S. _Niphon_.) "U.S.S. 'Niphon,' "_Beaufort, N.C., November 12, 1863_.