March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
The enemy begins to exhibit unwonted activity along our coast. On Wednesday last twenty-one vessels, four of which were evidently turreted iron-clads, and the rest gunboats or transports, appeared in North Edisto River. These vessels could be plainly seen by our pickets at White Point, and the transports seemed to be without any considerable number of troops on board. On Thursday only fourteen steamers remained.
Official intelligence was received on Saturday that a gunboat and three transports had approached Cole’s Island, at the mouth of the Stono and landed a small force, supposed not to exceed two hundred men. Nothing definite was ascertained as to their object, but it is generally believed to have been a reconnoissance, preliminary to more imposing movements.
The blockading fleet on Saturday numbered twenty vessels. A steamer flying the French flag was also noticed in the offing.