"the various firms who deal in firearms have been quite busy waiting upon customers...."

[Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, April 23, 1861. Vol. XVII. No. 2,551. Pg. 1 - Excerpted from the article; "Movements Of Troops. Excitement in Baltimore--Preparations for a fight."]

This was just a few days after the firing on Fort Sumter had begun on April 12, 1861.