A view of Charleston, South Carolina, during the War of Northern Aggression.

To the Editor of the Charleston Mercury:

You will oblige the ladies of Charleston by giving to the persons concerned the following advice, which, if they will take it, will cause the ladies to appreciate them more highly, as those who desire to protect them from the enemy that now hovers on our coast, and threatens our subjugation:

1st.  It would be gratifying to the ladies to see fewer officers and men at the doors of the hotels, and to know that they are in camp; for “the hotels are not in danger,” as I am told, Gen. Beauregard said to some officers during the bombardment of Fort Sumter.

2d.  The ladies are mortified to see so many intoxicated soldiers staggering through the streets, and would take it as a favor if the officers in command would be more particular in granting such men furloughs to come to the city.

3d.  They would advise the young men of the city to hurry up and volunteer. I am told, if they do not, and are seen lounging about the corners and bulletin boards of the Mercury and Courier, some of them may receive, on Valentine’s Day, a doll baby, or a hoop skirt, or something of the kind.        A Warning Voice.

– Charleston Mercury, 8 February 1862, p. 1. c. 6.