April 8, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Our telegraphic despatches inform us of the sailing of the steamship Atlantic, with 500 troops, a company of horse and several cannon; also, the departure of the U.S. steam frigate Powhatan, and sloop of war Pawnee, and that the steamship Illinois and brig of war Perry sail next. The Atlantic and Illinois are merchant steamers, drawing at least twenty feet water. The Pawnee and Perry draw from ten to twelve feet water.
We learn, also, that the screw frigates Minnesota and Colorado, and side wheel frigate Mississippi, are nearly ready for sea. These ships all draw over twenty feet water. If there is a fleet of smaller vessels, their names have not transpired, and it would require a very diligent search of the U.S. Navy list to find them just now. We take it the Gulf is the destination of Commodore STRINGHAM’S fleet.