Crowd waiting outside the Charleston Mercury office cheer at news of Abraham Lincoln’s victory

Once polling places closed, the Charleston (SC) Mercury noted that “enthusiastic gentlemen” waited outside their office for updates on election returns from other states. After reports indicated that “Lincoln’s election was certain,” the Mercury described how “the crowd gave expression to their feelings by long and continued cheering for a Southern Confederacy.” News about the Republican victory “spread with lightning rapidity over the city.” (By Don Sailer)