Ten days later four shots from Nansemond caused blockade running steamer Venus to take on water, forcing her ashore near the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

The next morning, Nansemond and Army transport Fulton – who had joined in the chase – captured the notorious runner at sea, east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Raleigh, while attempting to withdraw over the bar at the mouth of Cape Fear River, grounded, suffered severe damage and was destroyed by her Commander, Flag Officer William F. Lynch, to prevent her falling into Union hands.

However, word of the raid reached Confederate ears, and strong Southern defensive forces compelled the Union troops to withdraw under cover of the ships' guns.

A joint Army-Navy attack on Fort Fisher – which protected the vital Southern port – was launched on Christmas Eve, only to be repulsed the next day by determined defenders.