possession of Ripley and Ravenswood. It is possible that these may be the rebels you referred to in your dispatch this a. m., reported in Calhoun and Roane Counties.

JAS. P. WILKINSON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., February 17, 1865-11 a. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

I would respectfully ask whether Comstock is a brevet brigadier-general in the Regular Army or in the volunteer service. If the latter, I would recommend him for promotion to the full rank of brigadier-general of volunteers.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., February 17, 1865-11 a. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

If you will allow me to stop the Bay Line of steamers from running to Norfolk, and to make proper regulations for the carrying of passengers, freight, &c., I think evils now existing may be cured.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

February 17, 1865-1.45 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

You are authorized to stop the Bay Line of steamers from running to Norfolk, and to make such regulations for carrying passengers, freight, &c., as you deem proper.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CITY POINT, VA., February 17, 1865-8.30 p. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The rebel flag-of-truce boat William Allison, while on her upward trip from Cox's Landing, this afternoon, was blow up by a torpedo. The boat went down almost immediately. Our pickets saw no survivors from her. There were no prisoners aboard at the time. This catastrophe probably arose from one of the enemy's own torpedoes which has been in the water for a long time.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.