[3][4][5][6] During a reconnaissance in force on 4 and 5 November 1861, Isaac Smith engaged and repelled three attacking Confederate steamers and silenced batteries at Hilton Head and Bay Point, South Carolina.

Two days later she towed sailing sloop-of-war Vandalia into action during the landings which wrested Port Royal from Confederate hands providing the Union a base for the fleet and for combined U.S. Navy-Union Army operations against the Confederacy.

[2] Isaac Smith participated in operations against the coast of South Carolina until 21 January 1862 when she left to join the expedition to Savannah, Georgia, led by Captain Charles H. Davis, USN, and Brigadier General Horatio G. Wright of the United States Army.

She took possession of the post office there on 18 March 1862 and two days later mounted a gun on the ramparts of Fort Marion in a position to command the main road to the city.

with Isaac Smith disabled by accurate fire and with her deck covered with wounded men, her captain surrendered the ship rather than risk their lives.