Charleston Mercury
April 29, 1861
The general appearance of this now well known and famous island has been greatly changed since the 13th April. The batteries bearing on Sumter have been removed, and many other arrangements warranted by our possession of Fort Sumter, have been completed.
The 17th Regiment, Col. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, will return to the city today, and the remnant of Col. GREGG’S (1st Regiment South Carolina Volunteers) command will be honorably discharged, they having served within a few weeks of their term. We learn that some of the men will proceed to Virginia. Fort Sumter is reported to be in fighting order. For general information, it may be as well to say that it will not cost half a million of dollars to put it in perfect order, as was reported by an officer of the late garrison.