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

In the Field, January 24, 1865. (Received 7.35 p. m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point:

I have barges all ready to chain together and fill up the draw in the bridge. It would be useless to sinks them. Would it not be well to put these in position as soon as all the gun-boats are above? They could not then fall below the bridge. The Onondaga now lies only a short distance above Aiken's instead of being close below the obstructions, where she could take advantage of any delay the enemy meets with there.

JOHN GIBBON,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

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

In the Field January 24, 1865-8 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point:

General Ferrero reports that a small tug, seen near the wreck of the enemy's gun-boat, drifted to the obstructions; was boarded by our men and towed to shore. It was injured by the explosion, was partially filled with water, and contains four torpedoes.

JOHN GIBBON,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

CITY POINT, VA., January 24, 1865.

Major-General GIBBON,

Commanding Army of the James:

Lieutenant-General Grant desires me to say to you that we have parties now endeavoring to place obstructions where the old ones were; that gun-boats and others will have to pass frequently during the night the draw you propose to obstruct. He therefore does not wish you to close it unless you are well assured that the rebel rams have passed the old obstructions and are ready coming down. He further desires me to say to you that he wishes you to urge upon Captain Parker how important it is that his monitor should be up close to or event at the old line of obstructions, and entreat him to so place the Onondaga that in the event of an attempt of the rams to come down he may engage them while they are in the act of passing these obstructions.

F. T. DENT,

Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army, Aide-de-Camp.

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

In the Field, January 24, 1865-11.20 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point:

General Kautz's scouting parties report that the Charles City road is strongly picketed, and there are extensive bivouac fires in the vicinity of White's Tavern. This force is too far out to intend to attack us, and