January 21, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
On Saturday last a salute was fired on the reception of the news of the secession of Georgia from the Federal Union, by Mr. C.H. SCHWECKE, a member of the German Artillery, and Mr. WILLIAM ROGERS. Both gentlemen assisted in the firing of this gun under the flag of the MERCURY office, on the secession of South Carolina. As it was first used on that occasion the gun was dubbed ‘Secession.’