in early june, "r. r. cuyler" departed new york city under the command of captain francis b. ellison. on the 9th, she arrived at key west, florida, whence she proceeded north for blockade duty off tampa, florida. although plagued by the presence of smallpox among her crew, "r. r. cuyler" participated in the capture and burning of "finland" in apalachicola bay on 26 august. on 22 november, while operating near and in the mississippi river, she intercepted and assisted in the capture of the steamers "a. j. view" and "henry lewis". in december, the sloops "advocate", "express", and "osceola" and the schooners "delight" and "olive" met a similar fate. on 20 january 1863, off mobile bar, "r. r. cuyler" seized the schooner "j. w. wilder". two months later, she captured the schooner "grace e. baker" off cuba, and on 3 may, the schooner "jane" at sea.