March 9, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
The drift of events clearly indicates that the lull in the progress of hostilities cannot last much longer. The lengthening days, the roads now rapidly hardening, and the proximity of the great armies which still confront each other at Vicksburg, Tullahoma and on the Rappahannock, admonish us that we are upon the threshold of a season of unexampled trials for the Confederacy. We of Charleston need not flatter ourselves that we are to escape the ordeal. The blow with which we have so long been threatened will sooner or later, be struck, and with tenfold power and malignity, in that is has been so long delayed.
At such a juncture, it behooves all our arms-bearing men, not already in the field, to enroll themselves at once for militia duty, in case of an emergency, and to give their zealous cooperation to the important work of perfecting the organization and discipline of our citizen soldiery. In this connection we would especially direct public attention to the approaching militia elections in this city. It is to be hoped that a full vote will be polled, and that the fittest men will be chosen.
The following vacancies in the Sixteenth Regiment, S. C. M., will be filled by elections to take place on tomorrow, the 10th inst.:
Field and Staff – The office of Major.
Beat No. 1 – All the offices.
Beat No. 2 – Second and Third Lieutenants.
Beat No. 3 – First and Second Lieutenants.
Beat No. 4 – Captain, First and Third Lieutenants.
Beat No. 6 – Captain, First, Second and Third Lieutenants.
Beat No. 7 – First, Second and Third Lieutenants.
Beat No. 8 – Captain, First, Second and Third Lieutenants.