U. S. S. MINNESOTA,

Hampton Roads, January 24, 1865.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT:

Will General Grant have the goodness to inform me if the rams have passed the obstructions, or if there is any probability of their doing so? Can the navy at Hampton Roads be of any service to the general?

JOSEPH LANMAN,

Commodore, Commanding Second Div., North Atlantic Squadron,

Senior Officer Present.

CITY POINT, January 24, 1865.

Commodore JOSEPH LANMAN,

Hampton Roads:

Two rebel rams passed the obstructions before daylight this morning, but went back again. Your vessels can be of service, and I was in hopes some of them were on the way so as to arrive here during the night.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

Please have Colonel Duane and one of his assistants report here to me this morning for duty for the next two days. They can come down with you this morning.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865.

Major-General MEADE:

Please direct Colonel Duane to send his photographers to Fort Fisher to report to General Camstock for duty until the works about Cape Rear River are photographed.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865.

Major-General MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

You will please send in the 500 feet of bridging with the wagons and mules, and also two companies of engineers to accompany them. You will can upon General Ingalls, chief quartermaster, for transportation.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.