At 5 a.m. Cape Romain light N. N. W. At 7:30 anchored; the revenue steamer Harriet Lane communicated with us. Packet steamer Baltic lying near land in sight. Went to quarters, loaded the guns with shell. Captain G. V. Fox, from the transport Baltic, and Captain Faunce, of the Harriet Lane, came on board; they left the ship and their respective steamers stood in toward Charleston bar. This ship got underway at 11:45 and steamed in toward the bar. The Harriet Lane and Baltic came out toward us and reported that the forts and batteries were firing on Fort Sumter; signals were made to Captains Fox and Faunce to repair on board this ship. From meridian to 4 p. m.: Came to anchor and made preparation to get out boats. Forts on shore still firing. At 7 p. m., heavy squall; batteries on shore firing incessantly on Fort Sumter, to which she replied occasionally. From 8 p. m. to midnight : Fort Johnson firing on Fort Sumter; Fort Sumter silent.
From the log of the USS Pawnee