“ ‘Until further orders all citizens will remain within their houses.
“ ‘I have the honor to be, Mayor,
“ ‘Very respectfully, your obed’t serv’t,
“ ‘A. G. Bennett,
“ ‘Lieut.-Col. Commanding U. S. Forces, Charleston.’
“To this demand Colonel Bennett was subsequently handed, by a committee from the mayor, consisting of Alderman Gilland and Williams, a letter which he was about to despatch to Morris Island:
“ ‘To the General Commanding U. S. Army at Morris Island:
“ ‘Sir: The military authorities of the Confederate States have evacuated this city. I have remained to enforce law and preserve order until you take such steps as you may think best.
“ ‘Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
“ ‘Charles Macbeth, Mayor.’