The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-31 00:00:00

The Confederate Ram Stonewall.

(From the Correspondent of the Morning Herald.)
FONDA VISCAINA, FERROL, March 25.
I hasten to give you notes of the movements of
the Stonewall and American frigates in our neigh-
bourhood.
On the 23d the ram left here at 10 a.m., accom-
panied by the Spanish frigate Concepcion. She
went outside the bay or harbour of Ferrol, and toslh
a north-east course for about five miles, but find'
zed t'
the sea too heavy to work her 300-pounder-gni._
ward, Capt. Page decided to return into port and
discharge some of the coals stowed in the fore-part
of the vessel. The Federals lying in the Corunna
made no attempt to come out and engage him ; in-
deed, had they wished, they could have prevented
the ram re-entering Ferrol, as she was in sight of
the Niagara more than one hour and a-half.
The Stonewall returned into harbour about half-
past 12. By the time she had run four miles up the
harbour the Niagara and Sacramento steamed out
of Corunna, and came close to the mouth of Ferrol
Harbour, returning almost immediately to Corunna.
Capt. Page proceeded at once to lighten his ship
forward, and after succeeding in doing so to his
satisfaction, he again made up his mind to challenge
the Federals, and yesterday morning at about half-
past 10 a.m. left this port, having first sent a boat
to the mouth of the harbour and in view of the
Federal ships, with a battle flag hoisted on a
mast. He went out in fighting trim, leaving two
of his best boats behind. The Concepcion again
accompanied him out to sea. He went out of har-
bour and stood out for the open sea between here
and Corunna, cruising to and fro for more than
three hours and a-half, but neither of the Federals
made any attempt to leave port.
Capt. Page then stood up for the Concepcion, and
after telling her captain that the Federals would not
come out and fight him, said he wished to return
here, ship boats, and take in coal he had discharged,
and then leave the coast, but he was denied permis-
sion to do so. He sent a letter on shore to his agent
to that effect by the Concepcion, and also another
by a fishing boat, saying he wished his spre boats
sent out to sea last night that he might take them
on board. There were thousands of people assem-
bled on the hills by the seacoast to witness the com-
bat. They were crying shame on the Federals.
Should any of the officers venture on shore they
will be hooted through the town. The officers here
are anxious that they may still have an opportunity
of expressing their admiration of the pluck of the
Confederates. It is the talk of every one in the
place.
I went out last night in a boat to the mouth of
the bay, and waited till 2 o'clock this morning ; but
the Stonewall did not come near. Some fishermen
report having seen her at 5 a.m., 30 miles off shore.
It is probable she'will return and show fight once
more to the Federals.
I have sent a letter out by a fishing smack for the
captain of the Stonewall, if she comes in sight, and
shall most likely go out to sea to-night to meet her,
and to get some coals on board, and the boats also.
I fear you can make but little out of this hasty
scribble. In noticing the affair you cannot speak
too highly of the pluck and bravery of Capt. Page
and his crew, waiting five hours in gunshot of
Corunna, in face of two frigates such as the Niagara
and Sacramento.