Mr. Wood to Mr. Seward.
Sir:* * * * * * *
Notwithstanding the severe bombardment of the Danish left flank near Dübbel no material damage has been sustained. Count Hamilton (late Swedish minister) returned from Als yesterday, and thinks the Danes will be able to hold their position for some weeks. An attack on the whole line is expected. The Danes are said to have had a decided success in a naval engagement off Swinemünde, (the mouth of the Oder.) A Prussian steamship, two corvettes, and six gunboats, under command of the Prussian admiral, undertook to compel a Danish frigate to raise the blockade, and were so severely handled that they sought shelter under the guns of Swinemünde. Should this war continue and become more general, I submit whether our commerce in the German ocean and in the Baltic would not require the presence of an American man-of-war.
I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.