Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-12
RICBNOND WING, WEDNESDAY, MORNING APRIL z, 1865.

Ferrol We saw the Stonewau coming out, accom-
panied by the Spanish frigate Conception: ms
was about half-past one O'Clock. Almost SIM luna
neously with her appearance the Niagara anu oac-
ramento got under weigh, the Sacramento beaF'nE
her anchor up first and taking the lead Crowds
of people beg an to throng from the town to the gh-
house point and by the time the two United states
vessels were fairly under way 1t seemed as though
the whole town had become awakened 70 Inc TACT
that an extraordinary naval combat was ABOUT 10
take place, and that they would be CREAMY the
losers if thew dill not witte ss it. The Niagara Snd
Sacramento ste ered directly towards the Stone
wall. The har Dor Of Ferrol, it must he remember
ed, is ONLY ne miles distant from that OF Corun-
ma, and from the point where we stood We could
easily observe the movements oil all three ol Inc
ships. On board our vessels the men were at quar-
;ers and everything prepared for the combat The
Stonewa.l, th the Conception just astern Of her,
stood Quito sea, and everybody supposed that IN
few inmates We should hear the sound cf cannon
booming over the water. The morning had been
calm and the sea perfectly smooth; but, just about
the time the Stouewall made her appearance,
slrouc breeze sprung up. and in q few minutes the
yea was considerably RULED. The Sacramento was
steering directly towards the Stonewall, and the
Niagara closely following, when suddenly the rebel
ram which had come out sbout one mile away from
the mouth Of the port, turned tail and started back,
followed by the Conception. The Niagara and
Sacramento by this time were nearly of the mouth
wards il until they the fairly inside, when
they returned to their old berths in tie harbor Of
Corunna, having been absent only about two hours.
when left the Niagara the officers and men
were in high spirits and apparently eager for the
encounter and | am informed that during :he short
excursion the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Pre-
cisely what Captain Page meant by his manGuvre
am az a Joss 20 determine. The not shf-
fciently high 20 seriously incommode his fighting
arrangements, and it cannot he that he came out
intending 10 fight both the Niagara and SACRAMENTO
and then turned back as soon as they hove in
sight. We had good reason TO believe that The ram
intended TO fight.
4 despatch was received here this morning from
Mr. Bigeow, in Paris, TO the effect that the French
government was manifesting a disposition to stop
The StonewGli. On the strength Of this the French
consul here immediately autographed TO the Mini
ter Of Foreign Affairs in Paris, stating that hgh;
was in Inireut and asking wht ther he should inter
icre. We supposed that Captain Page mad received
The information that the French government in
tended int f,rng, and that he determined, e.ore
giving it a favorable opportunity, to 60 out and
fgh: Now am inclined to the opinion that his
entire movement was mere matter OF exercise, r
the purpose Of seeing how soon our vessels would
be after him, 10 try the working of his machinery,
70 see how his yes ell would behave. Sc. Some Of
the officers Of the Niagara state that the was
washing over her at terrible rate.
II She means to fight she will probably go out
again tomorrow, unless stopped at the demand Of
Of the French Government. II size does not mean
10 fight, she Day escape Tonight. Tomorrow,
am inclined 20 believe, will in some way bring forth
A solution Of this vexed question that has kept di
plomatists and naval officers and your correspond
emf on the rack so long.
NB-I have Just received a telegram from Fer
rol stating that the Sonewall put back on account
of heavy sea, and that she will 60 out as soon as
the weather is favorable.