April 12, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
In compliance with a notice on our bulletin board yesterday, some five hundred citizens congregated at the Citadel last evening, and formed themselves into detachments for the guarding of the city during the night.The Charleston Mounted Guard, Capt. MARTIN, numbering over eighty horses, were also on duty. They drew up in front of THE MERCURY office, and tendered us a salute, for which we return our acknowledgments. Three regiments of volunteers, mustering about 3000 men, arrived by the South Carolina Railroad last night. The regiments are commanded by Col. RION, Col. WILLIAMS, and Col. JOHNSON HAGOOD.