applaud it, but hot passion might have harmed you, as it has done me for the hour. Indeed, it was in view of this very event that I went at all.

With the invocation of every blessing upon you and yours, I am, your friend,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE JAMES,

In the Field, January 23, 1865-6.25 a. m.

General HECKMAN,

Twenty-fifth Army Corps:

In case firing is heard on the Kingsland road to the right of Fort Brady, send a reserve force to the lines in vicinity.

JNO. W. TURNER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE JAMES,

In the Field, January 23, 1865-6.30 p. m.

General HECKMAN,

Twenty-fifth Army Corps:

Major-General Gibbon directs that you caution your pickets on your left to observe extra vigilance, and any movement observed in the enemy's fleet of gun-boats, you so arrange that notice may be sent immediately to Fort Brady. He suggests that you send out two mounted orderlies, who may ready on the left to carry the information.

JNO. W. TURNER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

DEFENSES OF BERMUDA HUNDRED,

January 23, 1865-11.05 p. m.

Brigadier-General TURNER,

Chief of Staff:

Reports have just come in from the picket on the river that the enemy seen to be landing troops on Trent's Reach, north bank of the James. I have directed the river batteries to open in that direction.

E. FERRERO,

Brevet Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE JAMES,

In the Field, January 23, 1865-6.15 p. m.

Major-General FERRERO,

Bermuda Defenses:

Major-General Gibbon directs that you take due precautions that the enemy do not succeed in another attempt the enterprise they attempted last night.

JNO. W. TURNER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.