January 22, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
The Federal Troops, it appears, though not permitted to pass through Virginia, on their way South, are yet suffered to take possession of Virginia herself. If not designed for convenient transit to the South, why are they now sent to Virginia? If the Virginians persuade themselves that these troops are sent to her fortresses, at this juncture, for no purpose under heaven, they are philosophers of a school that recognizes none of the teachings of history. The fortresses of Virginia are manned by the Federal Troops to overawe Virginia; to keep down all patriotic sentiment….