February 15, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
THE TIME IS APPROACHING WHEN FORT SUMTER will probably be attacked. Let the assailants remember that the garrison are, in the main, poor hirelings, bound to obey the orders of their superiors, and, doubtless, not disposed to fight if they could avoid it. That they are not responsible for the acts of the President, or of the United States, and that not one of them should be put to death, but as a necessary measure to secure the fort to South Carolina. Let not one be killed after the fort is surrendered; let as little blood be shed as possible.
A.B. LONGSTREET.