 As one of the few fast steamers in Bailey's command, "De Soto" possessed a speed advantage over most of her blockade running prey.This was demonstrated on 24 April, when "De Soto" sailors boarded and seized two sloops, "Jane Adelie" and "Bright", sixteen hours out of Mobile, Alabama, and each laden with cotton.Two schooners, "General Prim" and "Rapid", were then taken the very next day, and they too carried cotton.