But his spirits rose when he enlisted in the Palmetto Guards, and began to see active service.

His quickness and zeal caused him to be used as a messenger, and he was continually passing back and forth among the Confederate leaders in Charleston.
He also came into contact with the Union officers in Fort Sumter.
The relations of the town and the garrison were yet on a friendly basis.
Men were allowed to come ashore and to buy fresh meat, vegetables, and other provisions.

Strict orders kept anyone from offering violence or insult to them.

Harry saw Anderson once, but he did not give him his name, deeming it best, because of the stand that he had taken, that no talk should pass between them.
He picked up a copy of the Mercury one morning and saw that a steamer, the Star of the West, was on its way to Charleston from a northern port with supplies for the garrison in Fort Sumter.

He read the brief account, threw down the paper and rushed out for his friend, St.Clair.
He knew that the coming of this vessel would fire the Charleston heart, and he was eager to be upon the scene..