The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-28 00:00:00

THE NAVAL ENGAGEMENT.

1, aedrelandet contains the following report from
an eyewitness of the nasal engagement off
Greifswalite:—

The Sjalland, Heimdal, and Thor had been lying several
days off Rugen. Oa Wedne,day morning Prussian gun•
boats were visible, but immediately turned back. The
Skjold and Heimdal were engaged in the course of the day
in coaling from the transport Neweky, when at ten o'clock
two Prussian frigates, the Arcona and the Nymph, one
paddlewheel steamer, the Loreley, and eight gunboats hove
in sight. The Sjalland was forced to engage the whole
hostile force alone for half-an-hour, and opened fire upon
the frigates and gunboats. When Skjold, Thor, and Heim-
dal came up the Prussian steamed eastward round the
island of Greifswalde. The Loreley sent the Sjalland raking
shots, but took to flight after two well-aimed shots from
the frigate. The Prussians must have thrown ballast over-
board to obtain unusual speed, for one of the frigates seve-
ral times heeled over on her side.

The paddlewheel steamer must have suffered very consi-
derably ; several of her boats were shot away, and we picked
up a handsome jolly boat. The gunboats kept quite close
to the laud, and fired upon the Thor and Heimdal, though
their shot fell short. We chased the enemy eastward; at 7
he had reached Swinemunde, while we were about a mile to
the north. The damage to the Sjalland will not compel her
to quit the station. The Skj old had her plating penetrated,
but none killed nor wounded. As a proof of the eagerness
of the men to take part in the fight, it may be mentioned
that the Heimdal had 20 men on the sick list in the morn-
ing, 15 of whom reported themselves ready for service the
moment the affair began.

Correspondence Found on the Body of
Colonel Dahlgren,

Several papers were found in the pockets o

Dahlgren, copies of which are subjoined :

ADDRESS TO TILE OFFICERS AND MEN.
The following address to the olfie rs and men of the com
mand was written on a sheet of paper, having, in printe
letters, on the upper corner, " Head-quarters, Third Divi

Lion, Cavalry Corps, 1864 :"
" Officers and Men,—You have been se!ected from
brigades and regiments as a picked command to attempt
a desperate undertaking—an undertaking which, if suc-
cessful, will write your names on the hearts of your
countrymen in letters that can never be erased, and which
will cause the prayers of your fellow-soldiers, now centime
in loathsome prisons, to follow you and yours herever you
may go. 'We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Isle
first, and, having seen them fairly started, we will cross
the James River into Richmond, destroy the bridges after
us, and exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and burn
the hateful city, will not allow the rebel leader Davis and his
traitorous crew to escape. The prisoners must render
great assistance, as you cannot leave your ranks too far or
become too much scattered, or you will be lost. Do not
allow any personal gain to lead you off, which would only
bring you to an ignominious death at the hands of citizens.
Keep well together and obey orders strictly, and all will be
well ; but on no account scatter too far, for in union there
is strength. With strict obedience to orders and fearless-
ness in their execution you will be sure to succeed. We
will join the main force on the other side of the city, or
perhaps meet them inside. Many of you may fall; but it
there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in
such a great and glorious undertaking, or who does not
feel capable of meeting the enemy in such a desperate fight
as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the
arms of his sweetheart, and read of the braves who swept
through the city of Richmond. We want no man who
cannot feel sure of success in such a holy cause. We will
have a desperate fight ; but stand up to it when it does
come and all will be well. Ask the blessing of the Almighty
and do Rot fear the enemy.
" DAHLGREN, Colonel Commanding."
SPECIAL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

The fallowing special orders were written on a similar
sheet of paper and on detached slips, the whole disclosing
the diabolical plans of the loaders of the expedition :
" Guides and pioneers, with oakum, turpentine, and
torpedoes, signal officer, quartermasters, eommissaires.
scouts, and pickets, and men in rebel unifoms—these will
remain on the north bank and move down with the force
on the south bank, not get ahead of them, and if the
communication can be kept up without giving an alarm
it must be done; but everything depends upon a surprise,
and no one must be allowed to pass ahead of the column.
Information must be gathered in regard to the crossings of
the river, so that should we be repulsed on the south side
we will know where to recross at the nearest point.
"All mills must be burned and the canal destroyed, and
also everything which can be used by the rebels must be
destroyed, including the boats on the river. Should a
ferryboat be seized which can be worked, have it moved
down. Keep the force on the south side posted of any
important movement of the enemy, and in case of danger
some of the scouts must swim the river and bring us in.
formation. As we approach the city the party must take
great care that they do not go ahead of the other party on
the south side, and must conceal themselves and watch our
movements. We will try and secure the bridge to the city,
one mile below Belle Isle, and release the prisoners at the
same time. If we do not succeed they must then dash down,
and we will try to carry the bridge by storm. When neces-
sary the men must be filed through the woods and along
the river bank. The bridge once secured and the prisoners
loose and over the river, the bridges will be burned and the
city destroyed.
"The men must be kept together and well in hand,
and once in the city, it must be destroyed, and Jeff. Davis
and his Cabinet killed. Pioneers will go along with com-
bustible material.
" Everything on the canal and elsewhere of service to
the rebels must be destroyed.
"As General Custer may follow mo be careful not to
give a false alarm. The signal officer must be prepared
to communicate at night by rockets, and in other things
pertaining to his department. The quartermasters and
commissaries must be on the look out for their depart-
ments, and see that there are no delays on their account.
Sr
The engineer officer will follow and survey the road as we
pass over it, e.
The pioneers must be prepared to con-
struct a bridge or destroy one. They must have plenty of
oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be soaked
and rolled into balls, and be given to the men to burn when
we get into the airy. Torpedoes will only be used by the
pioneers for burning the main bridges, St:c. They must be
prepared to destroy the railroads.
" Men will branch off to the right with a few pioneers and
destroy the bridges and railroads south of Richmond, and
then join us et the city. They must be well prepared with
' torpedoes, &O.
" The line of Falling Creek is probably the best to march