CITY POINT, VA., January 25, 1865-10.30 p. m.

(Received 11 p. m.)

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Washington:

I do not want to draw any troops from Washington that cannot be well spared. I will garrison the forts on Cape Fear with heavy artillerists from here. I will not leave Hampton Roads until Friday morning. It is probable the Assistant Secretary of the Navy will accompany me. If, so Schofield can leave Washington with him to-morrow evening. Answer if I shall wait for them.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
January 25, 1865-9.50 a. m.

General RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff, City Point:

Can you give us any information about the heavy firing last night or the gun-boats?

JNO. G. PARKE,

Major-General, Commanding.

We cannot.

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, January 25, 1865-11.15 a. m.

Major-General PARKE:

The following dispatch explains the heavy firing this morning:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
January 25, 1865-10.30 a. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

The enemy's gun-boats ran past Fort Brady about 3 a. m. and passed up the river; one is reported as a good deal crippled. Five vessels are reported to have gone up.

JOHN GIBBON,

Major-General.

JNO. A. RAWLINS,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

(Copy to corps commanders.)

CITY POINT, January 25, 1865-11.30 a. m.

(Received 1.240 p. m.)

Honorable G. V. FOX,

Assistant Secretary of the Navy:

The rebel fleet run up the river, last night or this morning, past our upper batteries, thus showing present danger to be at an end. I will leave here at 10 a. m. to-morrow for Cape Fear. Hope you will be able to go.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.