January 24, 1861, The New York Herald
A sentry on Sullivan’s Island, in the harbor of Charleston, fired into a boat from Fort Sumter on Monday night. The boat was manned by three men, and as they neared the beach they were ordered off; but failing to obey, the sentry fired upon them, whereupon they beat a retreat. It was believed that one man was wounded badly. While some persons supposed the men in the boat were deserters, others believed that they were a party bound upon the desperate expedition of spiking the guns of the secession battery.
The muskets seized on board the Savannah steamer Monticello on Tuesday still remain at the arsenal in Seventh avenue, and General superintendent Kennedy says that no claimant appeared yesterday with a view of recovering the same. The United States district Attorney was notified that a large quantity of powder and cartridges were shipped on board the Charleston steamer yesterday, but no steps were taken to prevent the departure of the alleged contraband goods to their destination.
The Second ward police yesterday, by direction of Superintendent Kennedy, seized twenty five cases, containing five hundred muskets, on board the schooner Caspian. These arms were intended for some point at the south, and were seized as contraband merchandise.