effect in the Army of the Potomac. I have relieved all the guards, and have seven officers absent with detachments of prisoners, deserters, recruits, &c.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. S. RUSSELL,

Bvt. Brigadier General and Colonel Twenty-eight U. S. Colored Trops.

POINT LOOKOUT, April 6, 1865.

Honorable GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy:

The Harriet De Ford is in Indian Creek, Va., blockaded by several of my gun-boats. As soon as the light-draught boats get up she will be recaptured or destroyed.

Respectfully,

F. A. PARKER,

Commander, Commanding Potomac Flotilla.

U. S. STEAMER MENDOTA,

Hampton Roads, April 6, 1865.

Hon GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy:

The Harriet De Ford is in Indian Creek, Va., blockaded by several of my gun-boats. As soon as the light-draught boats get up she will be recaptured or destroyed.

Respectfully,

F. A. PARKER,

Commander, Commanding Potomac Flotilla.

U. S. STEAMER MENDOTA,

Hampton Roads, April 6, 1865. (Received 5.20 p. m.)

Asst. Adjt. General T. S. BOWERS:

Have just returned from Point Lookout. Was informed by cavalry officer commanding that deserters from Longstreet came in to gun-boats in York River yesterday and reported that he was between Pamunkey and Mattopany Rivers, cut off and without supplies. You can best judge of the reliability of this story.

Respectfully,

E. T. NICHOLS,

Senior Naval Officer.

U. S. STEAMER MENDOTA,

Hampton Roads, April 6, 1865. (Received 5.25 p. m.)

Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,

Flag-shi Malvern, City Point or above:

Have just returned from Point Lookout. No tidings of captured steamer. Potomac Flotilla on lookout. Have sent the Morris to Cherry Stone and Black River to return to-morrow. Heard at Point Lookout that deserters from Longstreet came in yesterday to the gun-boats in York River. They say that Longstreet is between Mattapony and Pamunkey Rivers and has no supplies. Shall I send the Chimo up to you? Sabine and Huntsville went to sea this a. m. R. R. Cuyler and Galena are here.

Respectfully,

E. T. NICHOLS,

Senior Officer.

WINCHESTER, VA., April 6, 1865.

(Received 9.10 p. m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

General Torbert has just returned from his reconnaissance. He found nothing in the Vally excepting a few hundred cavalry under Rosser at Staunton. He is satisfied from the reports from all the people