April 9, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Much surprise was created about six o’clock yesterday evening, by the announcement, upon the bulletin board of THE MERCURY, that Lieut. TALBOT–now Captain TALBOT, of the United States Army–had returned to Charleston by the evening train, and was then at the Charleston Hotel. It appears that he was accompanied by Mr. R. S. CHEW, the confidential secretary, we believe, of Secretary CHASE. Capt. TALBOT came as bearer of despatches to Major ANDERSON, and upon making known his mission to General BEAUREGARD, was peremptorily refused permission to communicate with Fort Sumter.
Mr. CHEW, we understand, came as special messenger to the authorities here, with an official notification from the LINCOLN Government that Fort Sumter was to be provisioned–peaceably, if practicable, forcibly, if necessary. It is almost needless to add that Mr. CHEW received no information of a very consoling nature.
Both he and Capt. TALBOT departed on their return to Washington, by the eleven o’clock train.
During the afternoon, despatches had been received of a nature to warrant the belief that a formidable naval force was off our coast. Subsequent despatches confirming the first reports, it was determined to send down additional troops to the harbor fortifications. Shortly before midnight the city was startled by the booming of seven guns from the Citadel Green–the signal for the mustering of the 17th Regiment. In a few minutes the wet, misty streets were all commotion; volunteers could be seen hurrying to and fro to join their respective commands, and the neighborhood of the City Hall was speedily thronged by the citizen soldiery, who, like true men, had left their beds and hastily donned the knapsack and shouldered the musket. As company after company filed silently down to the boats, the occasional flashes of the lightning lit up their right bayonets and glazed kepis, and nothing save the steady measured tramp of the men disturbed the solemn stillness.
Colonel RION’S Regiment from Kershaw was sent for yesterday, and is expected to arrive this morning. Ample provision has been made for accommodation of the troops. Before daylight this morning the force at the threatened points will be fully doubled.
As we go to press (4 o’clock a.m.) all is yet quiet, but a rumor prevails that there are seven vessels off the bar.