Richmond Daily Dispatch
From "West" Virginia.--movements of General Early.
January 5
A telegram from the "headquarters of the Department of West Virginia" says that General Early has retired, with his infantry force, to Waynesboro', on South river. There is only a small infantry force at Staunton, and a similar one at Stanardsville. Gordonsville has not been reinforced, as reported. Lomax is operating with his division of cavalry east of the Blue Ridge, while Rosser's command is west of the Blue Ridge, scattered, gathering forage and threatening raids.
The following order has just been issued by General Crook, announcing the different commanders of the troops in his department:
Headquarters Department
West Virginia,
Cumberland, Md., Dec. 31, 1864.
General Orders, No. 85.
The following organization of the troops in this department is announced:
The troops commanded by Brigadier General I. II. Duval will constitute the First infantry division.
The troop of commanded by Brevet Major-General B. F. Kelley, including the post of Wheeling, West Virginia, will form the Second infantry division.
The troops stationed on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, commanded by Brigadier-General J. D. Stevenson, will constitute the Third infantry division.
The batteries commanded by Captain II. A. Dupont, Fifth United States artillery, and such others as may be assigned, will form the artillery brigade.
The troops in the Kanawha valley, commanded by Colonel John II. Oley, Seventh West Virginia cavalry, will form the First separate brigade.
Division commanders will at once form proper brigade organizations.
By command of
Major-General Crook.
Robert P. Kennedy, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: December 1864