MAY 5, 1864. (Received 8.30 a.m.)

General HINKS:

On Board Steamer Mattano:

Crowd on all steam, and hurry up.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

General.

GREYHOUND, OFF NEWPORT NEWS,

May 5, 1864-4 a.m.

Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE,

Commanding, &c.:

ADMIRAL: I think that the gun-boats had better proceed at once. Owing to delays it has been impossible to get my boats off as they were ordered. I will remain behind and bring up the rear.

BENJ. F. BUTLER.

Major-General, Commanding.

MAY 5, 1864-3.30 p.m.

Admiral LEE:

Has the channel been dragged for torpedoes?

HINKS.

General.

MAY 5, 1864. (Received 3.35 p.m.)

General HINKS:

The channel has been searched as far as City Point.

LEE,

Admiral.

[Memorandum by signal operator.]

MAY 5, 1864.

Landed at City Point, Va., at 4 p.m., and took possession of a rebel signal station, capturing three torches, two flags, and several gallons of turpentine.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
New Berne, N. C., May 5, 1864.

Captain M. SMITH, U. S. Navy:

CAPTAIN: Yours of the 4th I received this morning, and from its tone I feel perfectly assured that we have nothing to fear from the ram. I have just heard that you are in need of some supplies for your fleet, and I have ordered the best and fastest steamer we have here to take them up to you as soon as the quartermaster can get them ready. Contrary to the usual custom, the steamer will not be ordered to report to the quartermaster at Roanoke, but she will be sent direct to you, and I will be much obliged to you if you will permit her to