understand that no time is to be lost awaiting orders, if an attack is made in bringing all their reserves to the point of danger. With proper alacrity in this respect I would have no objection to seeing the enemy get through.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, February 22, 1865.

(Received 7.30 p. m.)

General PARKE:

General Grant desires that you please report the number of deserters from the enemy that came in on your front yesterday and to-day, and each day hereafter.

T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865-8.25 p. m.

Colonel T. S. BOWERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, City Point:

The provost-marshal reported this a. m. that fifty-four deserters from the enemy had arrived at these headquarters. There have been reported thus far to-day forty-three.

JNO. G. PARKE,

Major-General.

[FEBRUARY 22, 1865.-For Wright to Webb, forwarded to Grant 7. 45 p. m., see p. 639.]

CITY POINT, February 22, 1865.

(Received 8.20 p. m.)

General PARKE:

Great vigilance will be necessary to prepare to receive an attack, or to advance if it should prove that one corps is ordered away. I think it advisable to push a cavalry reconnaissance out early in the morning to see if any movement of the enemy can be discovered.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
February 22, 1865-10.10 p. m.

Lieutenant General U. G. GRANT:

The number of deserters reported to-day should be forty-five, not forty-three. The deserter reported by General Wright as conveying information concerning Hill's entire corps is not sustained by the reports of others. The Second Corps picket-line was advanced last night, and in so doing startled the enemy, and caused Heth to put three brigades under arms. I do not think that I am warranted to conclude