April 29, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
By the wise and efficient preparation of our materials, and the discipline, gallant bearing and uncommon skill of our soldiers, the Yankee fleet has been discomfited and repulsed with damage from the outer defences of Charleston harbor. The battered fleet steamed off to Port Royal bay, and the army which had been landed for cooperative movements probably reembark in chagrin towards its previous position. The troops from Gen. FOSTER’S command, it may be, have been returned to reinforce him in North Carolina. The Yankees have confessed a disastrous defeat. We have abundant reason for congratulations.
But it will be well for us to remember that there is a large force still on our soil under HUNTER, that the iron-clads are still in our waters under DUPONT, and that the Yankees are a people of great mechanical resource and great energy. Let us not, therefore, lull ourselves into indolent security, either because of the late victory, or because it is proclaimed at the North that Charleston is impregnable, and the idea of taking it is abandoned. Let us rather be on the alert, take every security and redouble our efforts to make assurance doubly sure, both for the city and railroad. Let our military resources be held thoroughly in hand, and preparation be still the word. Caution will do no harm. A fleet of several dozen transport vessels have been and are now lying in North Edisto Inlet. Also five iron-clad gunboats. Yankee troops still occupy Sea Islands not remote. Without vigilance and activity, we may yet meet with some disaster at the hands of a strong, wily and vindictive foe.