FEBRUARY 21, 1865-10.20 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

City Point:

Twenty-Four deserters have come in since my report of yesterday morning. Will send daily reports as directed.

JNO. W. TURNER,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA, ARMY OF THE JAMES,
In the Field, February 212, 1865-5.35 p. m.

Colonel SHARPE,

City Point:

No change along our front. The three brigades of Grimes' division (Riodes' old) are kept in readiness at Swift Run to move wherever needed.

FRED. L. MANNING,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Provost-Marshal-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
February 21, 1865-9.50 p. m.

Colonel SHARPE,

City Point:

Deserters from the Tenth Virginia Battalion, late from Richmond, say that Lomax's and Lee's cavalry divisions have returned from the Valley, and are encamped at Shady Grove, near Mechanicsville; say they commenced coming three days ago. Will use all exertions to find out the facts regarding it.

FRED. L. MANNING,

Lieutenant Colonel and Provost-Marshal-General, Army of the James.

HEADQUARTERS,
Norfolk, February 21, 1865-1.50 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

City Point:

A very intelligent man from Richmond, formerly a clerk, came in to-day. He represents the woods full of deserters and negroes, and says the evacuation of Richmond will disintegrate Lee's army. He is well posted in reference to railroads, supplies, &c., around Richmond. His name is Charles Cawlin. Do you desire to see him?

I VOGDES,

Brigadier-General.

FORT MAGRUDER, February 21, 1865-7.35 p. m.

Major WICKHAM HOFFMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

I have just received notice that the telegraph line has been cut between this and Jamestown Island by bushwhackers. It could not