January 7, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
THE MERCURY BULLETINS, we are proud to learn, are always looked for at all the forts and fortifications as containing the very latest and most reliable news in this great crisis. Yesterday afternoon, when copies or our special despatches from Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Washington, reached Fort Moultrie, the glad tidings they contained were greeted by the garrison with huzzas that made the welkin ring. We fancy that the benighted folks in Fort Sumter were rather puzzled to know what their Palmetto neighbors were cheering at.