From Union accounts, the Nashville was approaching Charleston Harbor, on its normal scheduled run (why this was a surprise to Fox's fleet is questionable- since Fox's flag ship left New York at almost the same time- and the New York papers published the Nashville was delayed from leaving on Saturday the 7th for some unknown reason and left at the same time as the Baltic and Atlantic* (*on its way to Pensacola, and Fort Pickens with 500 troops). It is explained they had to fire across its bow was to make it stop movement to determine its identity. Now after writing this it seems absurb they in the light of noon day, knowing the Nashville was on its way, they didn't know she was friend or foe?

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David Upton