August 3, 1863
The Charleston Mercury

More Negro Labor Wanted Immediately for the Defence of
Charleston.

An impression, we regret to learn, has become very general
amongst the planters of our State, that the military
authorities here have already obtained as much negro labor as
is requisite for the proper and energetic prosecution of the
work upon our defences, and that, therefore, no more slaves are
needed. This, we are authorized and requested to state, is a
grave mistake. A vast amount of work, of a very important
character, remains to be accomplished, and there is still
urgent need of as many negroes as the people of the State can
supply for the emergency. The greater the number of the hands
furnished, the sooner will the necessary defences be completed
and the negroes returned to their owners. We are also informed
that a number of experienced and competent overseers are wanted
at once, to superintend the labor of the various gangs.

Let our planters, then, hasten to send down more negroes,
while we have the opportunity to make their labor available.
The fate of the city may turn upon the promptitude of the
people of South Carolina in answering this last call of the
authorities.