New York Herald
April 19, 1861
Rarely has New York harbor been the scene of so interesting an occurrence as on yesterday afternoon. The bulletins announced that the steam transport Baltic was below, and would soon be up. This was like a match applied to a magazine in the effect it produced on the patriotic populace, and the rapidity with which the news spread among the people. There was a general tramp to the Battery, and the shore was soon fringed with a dense mass of citizens.
About half past twelve P. M. a large steamer was discerned approaching from Staten Island, and the well known and popular Baltic was soon recognized. As she approached grandly and rapidly, her flags at peak, fore and main, were visible, and when she came within a mile of Governor’s Island a bright flash burst from her bow, followed by the loud report of a gun, succeeded by another and another, as the noble ship, with her gallant freight, approached the city. Never was a steamer entering the harbor more universally welcome to the citizens of New York than the good ship Baltic on this occasion. The Brooklyn people spread themselves in a cordon along the wharves of their city fronting on the harbor; for they, too, were on the qui vie for the arrival of the brave Anderson and his small but heroic band. The shipping, as the steamer moved steadily and gracefully onward, ran up their bunting in all directions, and cheers arose from many points. At intervals the guns of the Baltic, now off Governor’s Island, flashed and boomed, and altogether the scene was one of the most brilliant, lively and thrilling nature. Meantime the small steam ferry boat which connects Governor’s Island with the city unfurled a large Star Spangled Banner to the bright sun and waving breeze, and immediately afterwards left her pier, at the barge office, and ran towards the transport. She was soon alongside, and ready to transfer the heroes from the Baltic. The throng at the Battery increased very perceptibly while these scenes were going forward, and the lower part of the city was literally attired in Stars and Stripes. It was most remarkable during the time the Baltic was nearing the city, to behold how rapidly flags and flagstaffs surmounted buildings on both sides of the river.