USS Vixen was acquired by the Union Navy from the United States Coast Survey on 26 August 1861 for use as a reconnaissance vessel during the American Civil War; and was later commissioned on 31 July 1862.

Vixen left New York City bound for Port Royal, South Carolina, in October 1861 with orders to conduct survey work along the southern coast en route.

Escorted by USS Ottawa and USS Seneca, she entered Port Royal Sound on 4 November to place buoys in the channel preparatory to Flag Officer Samuel F. Du Pont's planned attack there, and drew scattered fire from the Confederate naval squadron under Commodore Josiah Tattnall III.

The gunboat participated in the expedition against the Confederate works at Pocotaligo, South Carolina, from 21 to 23 October, and returned to the New York Navy Yard shortly thereafter.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.