December 12, 1863
Cavalry Review At New Creek By Gen. Kelley. - On Sunday morning, at New Creek Station, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Gen. Kelley, commanding the department of West Virginia, reviewed the First Separate Brigade, (cavalry) of his command. The review took place at 10 o'clock upon a vacant lot at the exit of the town. Of course there were large numbers present, among whom could be noted a fair share of ladies. The General was received upon the ground by a grand salute by Ewing's Battery. He was accompanied by his own Staff; Brig. Gen. W. W. Averill and Staff; Col. James A. Mulligan, commanding Second Division, and Staff; Col. Bruce, 2nd Maryland, commanding Post, and a number of shoulder straps of lesser note.
The companies in line were the 2nd Virginia Mounted Infantry, 3d Virginia Mounted Infantry, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Thompson; 8th Virginia Mounted Infantry, under Colonel Oley; the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Col. Schoonmaker; an independent battalion, under Major Gibson, and Ewing's Battery. Of course it was no "big thing," compared with the Army of the Potomac or that of the Cumberland, but the review was exceedingly attractive and interesting, and as the gay cavalcade of the Commanding General and his subordinate officers passed along the line, a mile in length, they were received with that respect which well disciplined troops always pay to the Commander, especially when that officer has tented with them on the march, and shared in their toils and sympathized with their hardships.
The review over, the General and his Staff were entertained at a capital dinner at the quarters of General Averill, who accompanied General Kelley in a special car to Cumberland in the afternoon. Rumor says that this review was preparatory to a grand scout of twenty days' duration, in what direction, the General knows. He keeps his own counsel and despatches his orders.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: December 1863