HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
January 24, 1865. (Received 5.25 a. m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The signal officer at the Crow's Nest Tower reports as follows:

The rebel gun-boats have been below our obstructions nearly as far as Battery Sawyer. They have now gone back, and are no longer in sight.

JOHN GIBBON,

Major-General.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865-5.30 a. m.

Major-General GIBBON,

Commanding Army of the James:

If the rebel gun-boats have gone back above the obstructions, and you have any schooner or other craft available now is the time to sink it wher the other obstructions are.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

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

In the Field, January 24, 1865-7 a. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

City Point;

I have sent your dispatch to Captain Parker, but have as yet received no answer. My engineer officer is just in from the canal. The enemy's gun-boats are lying some two miles below the upper end of the canal. The Onondaga dropped down to Jones' Landing, but I hear is now on her way back.

JOHN GIBBON,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865.

Major-General GIBBON:

I will send an engineer officer this morning to obstruct the channel in the river. If the point for obstructions is fixed below Dutch Gap place batteries to command the river at the point selected.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

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

In the Field, January 24, 1865-8.03 a. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

City Point:

One of my officers has just returned from the point of land below the canal. He crossed the canal and went one-fourth of a mile of three rebel gun-boats built like the Atlanta, which are lying directly under the Howlett House Battery. On his way back he witnessed an