Rubuta ci gaba don wannan sakin layi - Yaƙin basasa na Amurka ya ɓarke a watan Afrilu na shekara ta 1861, kuma a wannan shekarar Howell ya ba da rahoto a cikin jirgin ruwa mai tururi, wanda aka sanya shi zuwa ga Arewacin Atlantic Blockading Squadron don shiga cikin tarayyar Tarayyar Tarayyar Amurka. Duk da yake a cikin "Minnesota" ya ga aikin a cikin Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries
a kan Bankunan waje na Arewacin Carolina a ranar 28 zuwa 29 ga Agusta 1861.