the judgment of officers who were present that had the monitor been in her place, on learning that the Virginia and Fredericksburg were aground, both vessels would have been destroyed before they could have been got off. As it is, only the weaker vessel of the two was disabled. The rebels still have five gun-boats above us.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

January 24, 1865-9.10 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

Admiral Farragut is ordered to City Point, and will start for Annapolis as soon as an extra train can be had. In the meantime Parker has been removed, and Radford ordered to take command of the fleet.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CITY POINT, January 24, 1865-9.30 a. m.

(Received 11 a. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington, D. C.:

I shall probably leave here by 12 noon to-morrow for Fort Fisher. All the troops of Schofield's command may be forwarded directly to that point. Meagher's command will go in the same way, in the absence of other directions. If Schofield reaches Washington in time I would like to have him accompany me.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 24, 1865-12 m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

City Point:

If General Schofield does not arrive in time to join you I will send him forward on the first transport.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, January 24, 1865-1.30 p. m.

(Received 2.30 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

About 3 o'clock this morning four the enemy's gun-boats came down the river, passing our batteries north of the James River, one or two of them passing below the obstructions. For some reason they returned without passing far below. Two, the Virginia and Fredericksburg, grounded not far from the Howlett house and under one of our land batteries. For several hours they were pounded from this battery, but with what effect cannot be known. The Drewry was blown up by a