Source: Confederate Veteran, Vol 1, Sept 1893, No. 9, page 268 T. M. Murphree, Troy, Ala, August 15th: There is a venerable old ex-Confederate who lives at Union Springs, Ala. who gave the command "Fire!" to the gunner who sent a shot across the bow of the steamer, "Star of the West" on the 9th day of January 1861. This old veteran is Col. Branch, who held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of South Carolina State troops at the time. Write to him, as I am sure that he will contribute a true narrative of the scenes and incidents which were enacted in Charleston as well as on Morris's Island during the eventful days between and during the months of January, February, March and April, which will interest the readers of the VETERAN.