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LCDR Edward Hooker, 1st Division, Potomac Flotilla, writes CDR Foxhall A Parker, Potomac Flotilla, "I have just received information that Captain Fitzhugh, with quite a number of men and some boats, is at Robinson's Creek, just above Urbana. It is said their intention is to make an attack on us, but I think it much more likely they intend depredations in the bay, or possibly the putting down of torpedoes. As I understand you are to be here in a few days, I shall not make any movement toward dislodging them until you come. Tn the meantime I will try to get more information."

K R Breese, Fleet Captain, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes CDR William Rockendorff , USS onondaga, "The admiral directs me to inform you that Petersburg was evacuated last night; that General Grant is in pursuit of the rebel army, and that it is generally supposed that Richmond has been evacuated. As this latter is not certain as yet, the admiral says be careful how you proceed until assured how far you may go. There must be no accident happen. Remove all our torpedoes carefully and such of the obstructions as may prevent the free navigation of the river, using our torpedoes for this purpose if necessary. Be careful and thorough in dragging the river for torpedoes and send men along the banks to cut the wires. Keep the Unadilla and Chippewa and Commodore Perry to assist you. Use all dispatch consistent with thorough work, letting the Commodore Perry cover the boats in their operations. The admiral also says he wishes you to be impressed with the necessity of driving ahead, but to have no accidents happen.
    Please send me any reliable information you may have - what the explosions in your direction were."

RADM Jonathan Dahlgren, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes Master I A Pennel, USS Ethan Allen, "Your communication of the 28th ultimo, in reference to the Fourth Georgia Cavalry making their appearance at that point, has been received. In reply, it is necessary that you should be vigilant, and let your boats continue to patrol the creek, etc., reporting all matters of interest to me."

LCDR W W Low, USS Octorara writes CAPT Simpson, Fleet Captain, West Gulf Blockading Squadron "I send off three deserters and a contraband, who came from the Winnebago, having, they state, left Battery Tracy this afternoon and come out down the middle channel and outside of the point of Ducker's Bay. They say that there are 2,000 men in the Spanish Fort works and the same number at Blakely; that the rebels have a pathway beneath the highland below the entrance to Minette Bay that will be completed in a week, over which they pass to the marsh abreast of Battery Tracy; thence to Battery Tracy in skiffs, and across the marsh to Connors Bayou, and so by a steamboat that meets them above the spiles and the Danube to Mobile by way of the Tensas; that no boats (steamboats) pass down the middle channel; that the rebels can get no supplies except by skiffs, as the battery on Minette Bay effectually cuts them off from the forts, and ammunition is scarce. They think they will evacuate or surrender soon if the attack is carried on vigorously. They state that it is reported that there had been a fight at Blakely and the Federals whipped; that on Battery Huger are mounted two 10-inch Brooke rifles that throw square-headed bolts that weigh 230 pounds, and three other 7-inch Brooke guns, two 8-inch columbiads, and a 10-inch mortar; on Battery Tracy, two 8-inch Brooke rifles, another 7-inch Brooke rifle, one 8-inch howitzer, and one 8-inch columbiad. The battery in Minette Bay does a great deal of execution; has disabled the 7-inch Brooke at Fort Tracy, and the traverse circle of the columbiad was injured, but is temporarily repaired. They think that they can't possibly hold out more than two days unless the blockade runners bring them ammunition, as they did night before last. They think they have ten days rations, if not more. Not one private in twenty would fight if they could get out of it. Guns have been mounted at Choctaw Bluff from Selma; they have no gunboats except those we know. I came off from the netstretching to send these men to you; they are intelligent, seem well disposed, and worth questioning. I will give Mr. Camp, the signal officer, a boat to communicate with the shore, as he has failed to call attention by signal and wishes to communicate with the general. " He adds in post script "The passageway along the marsh can be used only at night, as it is in sight of the Minette Bay battery; though not complete, it can be used. A regiment passed over it last week and were taken on board a steamboat and then to Blakely. They know nothing of Forrest's men here. They have heard a report that General Thomas had lately had a fight with Forrest in the neighborhood of Columbus, Miss., but the report regarding the result was not reliable, as it gave the advantage to both parties. An attack was made at Blakely on the day before yesterday evening and the Federals repulsed. They don't know what guns are mounted at Blakely; but most of them do not. bear upon the river."