April 13, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Two companies of volunteers passed THE MERCURY office at three o’clock yesterday, with their banners flying, and tendered us a salute, for which we return our compliments.
Two members of the Palmetto Guard paid fifty dollars cash for a boat to carry them to Morris Island, to join their company.
The Battery, the wharves and shipping in the harbor, and every steeple and cupalo in the city, were crowded with anxious spectators of the great drama. Never before had such crowds of ladies without attendants visited our thoroughfares.
Business was entirely suspended. The stores on King street, Meeting street and East Bay were all closed.
Dr. SALTERS, the ‘Jasper’s correspondent of the New York Times, was arrested, and locked up in the Guard House, where he yet remains.
One of our special reporters to Fort Moultrie brought a trophy of war, in the shape of a 32 pound ball, which ANDERSON had fired at Moultrie, and which lodged in the sandbags. It may be seen at our office.
Another of our reporters has circulated the number of pounds of balls fired by both sides up to seven o’, the hour at which Fort Sumter ceased firing. He gives as a total 75,000 pounds or over thirty-six tons of iron.
It was currently rumored that the Harriet Lane was crippled by the Star of the West Battery, while trying to run in yesterday morning, but that the Harriet Lane pursued the course of her predecessor, and put back to sea minus one wheel.