A. K. Carothers to C. A. Dana, March 16, 1865

(Received 8.40 p. m.) Hon. C. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War: Daily Dispatch is the only paper issued to-day in Richmond. It says: The Dispatch is published this morning on half a sheet only, because of the fact that all of our employés, printers, reporters, and clerks are members of military organizations and were called out yesterday morning by the governor to perform special service for a short time. But for the kindness of a few friends who are exempt from service, and who volunteered their aid, the half loaf presented would of necessity been withheld. In a few days at farthest our forces will return to their posts, when we hope to resume and continue uninterruptedly our full-sized sheet. No other news. U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, March 16, 1865—10 a. m. Lieutenant-General GRANT: Nothing new this morning. No further or very precise information obtained of the change of position in enemy’s troops in my front. I think it likely some troops have been sent to hold the northern defenses of Richmond against anticipated attacks from Sheridan. Prior to moving this army I desire to make certain changes in the troops at and around City Point. Ishould like to have the Eleventh U. S. Infantry at these headquarters, where I propose to collect the regular regiments as they return, and keep them for provost duty and asareserve. There are several fragments of regiments—viz, three companies from Delaware, a battalion from Maine, and one from New Hampshire—that have been all winter at City Point and with General Benham. As these organizations are not filled or likely to be I propose to attach them to organizations from the same States. Of course any troops removed from City Point would first be relieved by others. I propose to make that portion. of the garrison of City Point belonging to this army a detachment under command of Brevet Brigadier-General Collis; hitherto they have formed part of the provost guard of this * For Correspondence, etc., from January 1, 1865, to March 15, 1865, see Part I. I. (3) 4 N. AND S. E. V. A., W. V. A., M. D., AND P. A. (Cuar. LVI. army. They can be returned through these headquarters, or, if deemed advisable, through your headquarters. Please let me know if you have no objection to the above, which are submitted because I consider City Point as only partially under my command. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General. City Point, V. A., March 16, 1865. (Received 11 a, m.) Major-General MEADE: Make the changes you deem proper in the garrison of City Point. Have all the returns of troops here sent to you. In making changes leave with General Patrick the regiment which he has always had with him. There are two colored regiments at City Point, one under the quartermaster. This I will have retained, but the other I will order back to the Twenty-fifth Corps. It will be necessary to replace it with a battalion. U. S. GRANT, Tieutenant-General. Navy DEPARTMENT, March 16, 1865. Maj. Gen. J. G. BARNARD, U.S. Army, City Point, Va.: Shall not be with you until Saturday. Notify Lieutenant-General Assistant Secretary of the Navy. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, , March 16, 1865—2.55 p.m. Major-General MEADE: (Through Fifth Corps Headquarters.) The following dispatch has just been received from the acting chief signal officer: Major-General WEBB, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to report that the following report has just been received from the signal station at the Avery house: “The enemy along the front line, from the Crater to Fort Mahone, have their equipments all on, ready to move. No tents have been struck to-day. The most of them now sit down, as if trying to keep out of sight.” CHAS. HERZOG, First Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. General Parke is here, and has seen the above report. CHAS. E. PEASE, Assistant Adjutant-General. PLANK Roap Si@nau STATION, March 16, 1865—9 a. m. Capt. J. C. PAINE: At 8.30 a. m. about 400 of the enemy commenced moving from works extending from Fort Mahone a short distance to the right of plank road, about 100 of them moving left toward large fort,!200 of them toward the picket-line at different points along our front, and the other Sergeant. PLANK Roap SIGNAL STATION, March 16, 1865—5 p.m. Capt. J. C. O. PAINE: The enemy opened on a working party in vicinity of Battery 23, at 9.30 and 10.10 a.m., from Fort Mahone and next battery to its left, throwing about twenty shots. The firing developed their force in our front, which is much less (probably one-third) than the force occupying the lines yesterday. This diminution extends from plank road as far left as yellow house battery. Men reported moving toward picket-line in report of 9 a.m., proved to be reliefs; those relieved moving back and scattering in works along our front. The enemy’s picket is a strong one, the men forming it having full marching equipments, including knapsacks; the latter not worn as a general thing by their reliefs. Small parties were drilling at different points during the day. The wind has prevented making any correct observations further left than the lead-works. Some movement of troops was visible in the vicinity of large fort at 1 p.m., but could not distinguish their numbers or what they were doing.

A. K. CAROTHERS,