February 23, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
The Yankee gunboat Flambeau, of the blockading squadron, steamed in towards Sullivan’s Island about ten o’clock on Saturday morning, displaying a white flag at the foremast’s head. The unusual incident for a time gave rise to much speculations among the wondermongers in the city; but a boat from Fort Sumter having boarded the Flambeau, her mission was ascertained to relate to nothing more important than the delivery of some letters, etc., unless, indeed, her commander desired a closer view of our defences. The letters were chiefly for the officers of the captured gunboat Isaac P. Smith; but among them, we understand, was one from Lord LYONS to the commander of the British war steamer Petrel, containing instructions for that vessel to repair immediately to Washington. The Petrel will accordingly leave this morning. From this movement of the Petrel, some infer that the intended demonstration against Charleston has, for some cause, been postponed.
The Flambeau, after delivering the letters, returned immediately to the fleet.