April 13, 1861; The New York Herald
Intense excitement prevailed throughout the city last evening on the receipt of the news that an engagement had taken place at Charleston. In accordance with their usual astuteness, the evening papers had published telegraphic despatches of a quiet state of things at what may now be termed the seat of war. Those who read these papers of course had their fears for the time quieted, and went home with the calm satisfaction that blood had not as yet been shed. What then was their astonishment a few hours later to hear the newsboys vigorously shouting the “HERALD,” with the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the details of a terrible struggle? The city calmed into quiet by the peaceful reports of the afternoon, woke with a start when the hoarse voice of myriads of newsboys, resounding through our streets in the solemn stillness of night, proclaimed the news.
During the day the curious and anxious had sought the bulletin boards of the newspapers to post themselves in regard to the progress of events at the South, and around the various offices crowds were gathered until evening. At the hotels and barroms, in the same manner throngs were collected, who discussed the probable object which the government had in sending out the recent armed transports, the results of an attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter, where the present troubles of the country would end, &c., &c. The excitement, however, was not great, owing to the peaceful but incorrect news published by the evening papers, and men lounged around the hotels and places of public resort calmly glancing over the news.
In the evening, however, the thrilling intelligence began to spread. Thousands thronged to the HERALD office and newsboys bearing papers under their arms sped through the streets of the city. The news spread like wildfire, and but one sentiment seemed to pervade every mind–where would the strife, now so terribly commenced, end.
The anxiety to hear the news was well depicted in the scenes which met one at every turn. Under a lamp post at each second street might be seen some individual with an extra HERALD, either drinking in its intelligence alone or reading aloud to some companies. In the cars, the vestibules of the hotels and in the barrooms, the same thing was to be witnessed.
At the New York Hotel, which, during the last campaign rendered itself particularly obnoxious to the Wide Awakes and republicans, a scene of considerable excitement prevailed. The guests, in a measure Southerners, gathered in the halls and passageways and conversed with great vehemence on the important news which the extra HERALD had laid before them. In the lower hallway the sofas were occupied with these personages, and to one group the attention of our reporter was particularly directed.
“Well, I hope,” said one, “the Charlestonians will do honor to themselves.”
“And they have done so,” replied the party addressed, “from the news of the HERALD.”
The conversation continued in a similar strain, and the conduct of General Beauregard and Major Anderson and other matters were discussed.
At the other hotels similar scenes of excitement were to be witnessed, and the papers containing the news flourished in everybody’s hand.
The conversation continued in a similar strain, and the conduct of General Beauregard and Major Anderson and other matters were discussed.
At the other hotels similar scenes of excitement were to be witnessed, and the papers containing the news flourished in everybody’s hand.