The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-27 00:00:00

STAMPED

Mrs. Crichton Stuart, on her marriage, by the Dowager
Marchioness of Waterford.
Mrs. Clement S wanston, on her marriage, by her aunt,
Lady Georgians Romilly.
Miss Isabel Swinburne, by Countess Amherst.
Mrs. Thomas M. C. Symonds, by Mrs. Hugh Childers.
The Hon. Lady Talbot, by the Hon. Lady Grey.
Miss Mary Talbot, by her mother, the Hon. Lady Talbot.
Mrs. Taylor, on her marriage, by the Countess of Fife.
Miss Mary Wells, by Lady Dacre.
Miss Wickham, by her mother, Mrs. Francis Wickham.
Miss Wood, by Lady Mary Wood.

The Impending Naval Engagement off the
Coast of Spain,

(From the Coa-revondent of the Morning Herald.)
I herein hand you particulars and information
concerning the Confederate steam ram Stonewall
and the United States frigate Niagara and screw
corvette Sacramento, about to take part in a naval
engagement off this port. The two last-named
vessels are at present in Cbrunna, distant about 11
miles from here. They have both had steam up on
board for some weeks past watching night and day
for the appearance of the Stonewall. The excite-
ment here and in Corunna is immense. The sym-
pathy of the Spaniards is entirely with the Confe-
derates.
The Stonewall put into Corunna on the 21st of
February last, from Bordeaux, having experienced
bad weather, and sprung a leak aft, about the 3d of
February. She came to Ferrol for repairs in the
Government arsenal here. About ten days after her
arrival here the Niagara came in, being followed by
the Sacramento the following day. After they had
been here for some five days, the admiral command-
ing requested the Federals to leave the port, which
they accordingly did, making for Corunna, where
they remained at anchor with steam up until the
14th inst., when they weighed anchor, and cruised
about outside the port for about two days ; bad
weather coming on they again entered Corunna,
and are now awaiting the departure of the
Stonewall from this place, which would have
taken place this morning but for the strong
wind that is blowing from the south-west. One
of the officers of the Stonewall has just in-
formed me that they are to steam out to-
morrow morning, if weather permits. Capt. Page,
commanding the ram, arrived here from Paris two
days ago, and immediately requested the permission
of the admiral to allow him to leave the port at any
moment. The Stonewall is an iron-plated vessel
of about 900 tons, having a ram, or prow, forward
about 22ft. long ; her armament consists of one
300-pounder Armstrong gun, worked from an
armour-plated turret, right in the bows of the ship.
She has also another armour-plated turret, aft, in
which are two 70-pounder Armstrong guns. These
three are the only guns she carries. She is built on
the twin screw principle ; engines about 320 horse
power ; nominal speed of vessel about 10 miles.
Her crew consists of about 16 officers and 80 men,
all told ; the greater part of them are men who be-
longed to the Alabama and Florida. Capt. Page
last night called the crew aft, and after explaining
the situation of affairs, said that as the Confede-
racy had no longer any ports in the Northern States
it was useless going to America, so they have made
up their minds to conquer or be conauered All filo
yards and topmasts have been lowered, and every-
thing on board put in fighting trim. The men
would not turn in last night, but were up the whole
night singing patriotic songs. All on board are
sanguine of success, from the captain downwards.
It is intended only to fire shells from the large gun.
The Federals rely entirely on success by running the
ram down or boarding her.
The Niagara is commanded by Commodore Cra-
ven. She carries 12 200-pounder Parrot guns.
Her tonnage and horse-power you have probably by
you. She steams about 12 miles, but is very long,
and cannot turn round in less than half a mile,
whereas the ram can turn round in her own
length.

The Sacramento carries 11 200-pounder Parrot
guns, and has a crew of about 300 men ; the Niagara
has a crew of 450 men. It is the general opinion
of people here that if the Stonewall can but lodge
one of her 300-pound shells in either of the Federals
it will sink them in five minutes.
There are two Spanish frigates waiting to accom-
pany the ram out to sea, in order that no fighting
may take place in Spanish waters. The guns in the
forts have been got ready for action in case the
Federals should attempt to break neutrality.
The admiral of the station sympathises with the
South, and when taking leave of the captain of the
Stonewall yesterday said he wished him success
from his heart.

The excitement of the people here is immense, as I
said before. The Federals have made themselves
very obnoxious here lately, several of them being in
prison in Corunna at the present moment. I know
for a fact that one of the officers of the Niagara had
to make a public apology for having insulted a
Spanish officer at a ball in the Carnival. I myself
saw three officers turned out of a ball-room. On
the contrary, the officers and crew of the Stonewall
have gained the goodwill of the Spaniards by their
quiet, gentlemanly conduct, during the whole of
their stay.

The wind is blowing very strong at present ; I
almost fear the ram cannot leave to-morrow, but
will write and advise you later if anything fresh

Occurs.

A Mr. Buffum, correspondent of the New York
Herald, has come from Paris to witness and report
the fight. He wishes me to go with him when it
takes place. and conduct him to a good spot for
witnessing the engagement. I will write and give
you particulars of the same.

THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY VOLUNTEERS.--The
annual inspection of the Oxford University Rifle
Regiment took place on Wednesday, and was the first that
has been held by Colonel Erskine since his appointment as
.Inspector-General of Volunteers. The Regiment
paraded
at 2 p.m., 273 strong, for the inspection of arms and ac-
coutrements, and marched to its battalion parade-ground.
Arrived there, it wheeled into line, and received the inspect-
ing officer with a general salute. It broke into open column
right in front, and marched past in open and quarter dis-
tance columns ; formed battalion square, re-formed column,
deployed into line, changed front on the right company, left
thrown back, commenced file-firing from the right of com-
panies, advanced in direct echelon of companies from the
right, formed company squares, re-formed echelon, wheeled
to the left, and re-formed line on the rear company, changed
front on the left company, right thrown back, fired volleys
by companies from right to left, retired by companies from
the left in rear of right, fronted and deployed into line on
the leading company, advanced in double column of sub-
divisions from the centre, formed line to the right, retired
in echelon from the left, re-formed line, and again advanced
in double column of subdivisions from the centre, re-formed
line to the front on the two centre subdivisions, formed
quarter distance column on No. 3, skirmished. Three com-
panies extended, and a new line of skirmishers were thrown
out on the right flank, the old skirmishers forming the new
supports. The skirmishers were then strengthened, and
after retiring and keeping up a steady fire, they closed on
the coverers and formed quarter-distance column. Colonel
Erskine, at the close of the evolutions, said that on the
whole he had been very well pleased with what he had
seen. He could not say they were perfect. Their marching
was excellent, but there were many little faults. There
was too much crowding in the ranks, and it was impossible
to drill well while their arms were overlapping one ano-
ther. There ought to be no looking about in the ranks, and
more attention ought to be paid to those in command. He
was glad to see that the officers and sergeants knew their
work. He knew that they had many disadvantages to con-
tend with—the shortness of their time and their many other
pursuits, which left few opportunities for drill. He should
have great pleasure in making a favourable report to the
Secretary of War. The day was very stormy, and snow
fell at intervals.

Lady Margaret Scott, by the Duchess of Buccleuch.
Mrs. Sieveking, by the Marchioness of Carmarthen.
Mrs. Skone, by Mrs. Tait.
Lady Barbara Chetwynd Stapylton, on her marriage, by
Lady Cecelia Briuckman.
Miss Helen Stephenson, by her mother, Mrs. Stephenson.
Viscountess Strangford, by the Marchioness of Clanri-
carde.