Daylight put to sea on 7 June 1861 for duty in the waters of Virginia and along the Atlantic coast as far south as Wilmington, North Carolina, where she assisted in the establishment of the Union blockade.

She served as guard and picket ship and captured four vessels carrying contraband, recapturing one which attempted to escape, before arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, on 3 December for repairs.

On 26 January 1862, Daylight departed for Hampton Roads, cruising off the Virginia coast until 16 April when she sailed for Beaufort, North Carolina.

She joined in the bombardment and capture of Fort Macon, North Carolina, on 25 and 26 April, receiving a damaging shot in her hull.

Repairs completed, Daylight sailed from Hampton Roads on 7 September 1863 to serve with the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron until 13 October 1864.