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CDR G H Cooper, USS Glaucus, writes SECNAV Port of Gonaïves, San Domingo [Haiti], "I respectfully report that on the 22d instant I sailed from the anchorage off Mathew Town, off Great Inagua Island, under convoy of the Galatea, bound for Key West, the propeller working well, our average speed about 6 miles per hour. The rudder answered all purposes as far as steering the ship was concerned. On the morning of the 23d the wind freshened to a moderate gale from the northward and westward, with a heavy sea. At 8:25 struck by a sea on the starboard quarter, which carried away our rudder; was taken in tow at once by the Galatea and course shaped for Santiago de Cuba; doubled Cape Maysi. On the morning of the 23d [24th] wind shifted to the northward and eastward, blowing quite a gale, with a very heavy sea. At 7:45 a. m. parted our port hawser and had to cut the starboard one in order to save the anchor and fore-rigging. This was owing to the wild steering of both ships when before the wind. Made fast again to the Galatea and started for this place, where we arrived at 11:30 a. m. of this date. The Galatea will sail in the morning for Cape Haitien to coal, thence to Key West, in order to get a vessel that can tow us to New Orleans for the purpose of being docked. Our false keel is gone, and the main keel somewhat splintered about the stern. The copper is started in several places about the nail heads. I am sorry to report that it was impossible for me to recover the guns, but enclose the copy of a contract with Mott Johnson for the recovery of said guns, to be delivered at Key West, Fla., providing he can get them in one week from the 22d instant."

MGEN Butler, USA, DEPT of VA and NC, writes RADM David D Porter, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, "Upon landing the troops and making a thorough reconnoissance of Fort Fisher, both General Weitzel and myself are fully of the opinion that the place could not be carried by assault, as it was left substantially uninjured as a defensive work by the navy fire. We found 17 guns protected by traverses, 2 only of which were dismounted, bearing up the beach and covering a strip of land, the only practicable route, not more than wide enough for 1,000 men in line of battle. Having captured Flag Pond Hill battery, the garrison of which, 65 men and 2 commissioned officers, were taken off by the navy, we also captured Half Moon battery, and 7 officers and 218 men of the Third North Carolina Junior Reserves, including its commander, from whom I learned that a portion of Hokes division, consisting of Kirklands and Hagoods brigades had been sent from the lines before Richmond on Tuesday last, arriving at Wilmington Friday night.
    General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within 50 yards of the fort, while the garrison was kept in their bombproofs by the fire of the navy, and so closely that 3 or 4 men of the picket line ventured upon the parapet and through the sally port of the work, capturing a horse, which they brought off, killing the orderly, who was the bearer of a dispatch from chief of artillery of General Whiting to bring a light battery within the fort, and also brought away from the parapet the flag of the fort. This was done while the shells of the navy were flying about the heads of the daring men who entered the work, and it was evident as soon as the fire of the navy ceased, because of the darkness, that the fort was fully manned again, and opened with grape and canister upon our picket line.
    Finding that nothing but the operations of a regular siege, which did not come within my instructions, would reduce the fort, and in view of the threatening aspect of the weather, wind arising from the southeast, rendering it impossible to make further landing through the surf, I caused the troops with their prisoners to reembark, and see nothing further that can be done by the land forces. I shall therefore sail for Hampton Roads as soon as the transport fleet can be got in order.
    My engineers and officers report Fort Fisher to me as substantially uninjured as a defensive work."

RADM Jonathan Dahlgren, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, writes SECNAV "I enclose herewith a copy of an order which I propose to issue for the better execution of the President's order, and would draw the attention of the Department to the clause marked in red, which seems to be necessary to avoid fraud in evading the blockade, and is consistent with the rules commonly admitted in such cases."

LCDR Bancroft Gherardi, SOPA Pascagoula, aboard the USS J P Jackson writes CAPT Thornton A Jenkins, 1st Division, West Gulf Blockading Squadron, "I have this day dispatched the Bohio to Pensacola. The amount of coal delivered to this flotilla was very much reduced, as the Selma took 30 tons and Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Pennington gave the army transports some. There is at present on board this vessel 29 tons and on board of the Rose 5 tons; therefore I am greatly in need of coal.
    I will have to keep the two tinclads for the present. General Granger is at present at Goode's Mill, distant from this place 12 miles by land and 28 by the river. He is confronted by a rebel force fully equal to his own, if not superior. He has a very small wagon train, not sufficient to keep up the supplies for his troops. During an interview I had with him yesterday morning he informed me that he would have to fall back to within 5 miles of my anchorage. Should he be attacked, the tinclads can be of great service. Unfortunately there is not water enough on the bar at the mouth of the river by 2½ feet for the Jackson.
    The paymaster of this vessel reports to me that he has no blankets or overcoats; there is also no soap on board, and since last July he has had only 300 pounds of the latter, although he has frequently made requisitions for it.
    Acting Ensign Maddocks, commanding officer of the Rose, has applied to me for another engineer; he has at present only two. I have no means of knowing what is the complement of such a vessel. He also wants one seaman and two landsmen.
    The vessels in the sound are never supplied with any provisions from the supply steamers. Vegetables are what we want most, though fresh beef would be very acceptable.
    A Mrs. Todd, of New Orleans, applied to me yesterday to be allowed to land, but I positively refused permission.
    I will keep you fully informed of anything of interest that may occur."

MGEN George H Thomas, USA, Department of the Cumberland telegrams RADM Samuel P Lee, Mississippi Squadron, "Our cavalry drove enemy through Pulaski at 9 a. m. to-day. Forrest's cavalry on full run. Rebel army is literally running away, and seems to be making for Lamb's Ferry and Florence. He has been thrown off his intended route to Decatur by fear of being intercepted. I think it best for you to remain as long as possible at Eastport, or at least until we ascertain definitely what Hood is trying to do."