The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-10
GENERAL KELIEYS DEPARTMENT.
Capture Of q Rebel 0licial Docu-
ment Detailing tho Recent
Plans Of General Early.
THE AFFAIR AT TOWNSVILLE.
The Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road ALI Right.
Working OF the Amnesty
Proclamation.
The Recent Raid Upon Pc
tersburg.
Description Of the Place and
Its Defences.
The Excitement in Cumberland and
Patriotism Of the Citizens.
General Relley's Official Report to
Governor FOREMAN,
be-, Ae,s Ass
The Excitement in Cumberland and
Patriotism Of the Citizens.
General Helley's Official Report to
Governor Boreman,
&ess Ae,s Ass

Governor Foreman,
0espetch from General Kelley to GOv.
A. j. Foreman.
CUMBERLAND, Nd, Jan. Z, 1854.
despatch just received from Colonel Thoburn, com.
aanding at Petersburg informs that the rebel force
threatening him for several days past has rereated
wards the Shenandoah valley. The force formda-
b one, consisting Of three brigades-Lees, walkers
end Rossersa under the command Of General Ftzhugh
Lee
Deserters report that Il was the intention Of Lee 70
psuse Che garrison at Petersburg take New Creek and
Ouberlsd, destroy stores and break the railroad
~ burning the bridges. &C., &c.
am happy TO inform you that great raid under.
taken BY General Early, in retaliation for move
tnents m this department, has thus far fesultcd in
Q complete failur6 fzze. An empty wagon
esan Of Col rhoburns returning from Petersburg
eaptared BY portion OF the enemys forces. With this
eepton they have not thus far been able nct upon
- snV injury Many deserters coming in, and our
savalry are picking up many ssraesers
The railroad is safe and trains are running Yegu-
rig The weather Is cold and the several inches
tesp. B. y. KELLEY, Brgadier General.
Our New Greek Correspondence.
New CREEK, Jan. 4, 1864.
0ston Of various rebel movsmenss all tending 70 show
nat She late successful raid OF General Aver the
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad has aroused the rebels
- course OF action intended 10 indemnify them for
thoir late losses. That tho present movements
- the rebel troops being made In accordance
Oith the request OF General Lee we are aware. Be.
s,des the rebel plan keep engaged protecting
- DEFENDING lines, the better to keep mount
- troops and ambitious officers from interfering again
tho om lima of Tnn0
ar this rebel plan will be successful Of remains
~ The future TO show.
InsopEs DRIVEN ouI WINCHESTER.
Colonel Boyd formerly q captain in the First New
1ork cavalry attacked lmbodens yesterday this
side Of Winchester and drove them through and out Of
Ne town. In these operations captured few prison
Srs Tho stories told by these prisoners conflicting
Bence they considered reliable enough for publ
saeiOn; but from what all OF them say IL ID evident
that our late RAID not merely alarmed, but aroused
tAe rebels to much exertion to prevent q similar
After being driven Of Winchester Iboden
sDl back 10 Kearnstown, the neighborhood OF which
pace he supposed 10 be this morning Colonel Boyd
m command OF cavalry brigade was still in search Of
me fugtives at last IN the charge limbo
Cen yesterday, the First New York cavalry
-eaged, and gavo him o long and rapid chase.
cAPTuREp.
The enemy yesterday captured q train Of ours when
about Elk eight mics this side Of Petersburg. The
&ain was on its way TO New Creek, almost empty The
attack made the train guard seventy strong
~ the junction OF the Petersburg Moored and ALE
ghsny pixies large portion OF the guard escaped
the enemy obtained possession or about th,rty-lve
rETEkspuRG, WEST VIRGINIA,
We have received information that the rebels wero
moving in force % Petersburg, West Virginia,
purpcse Of attacking and attempting capture the gar
Sso0 there stationed. II expected that desperate
Eight viii eusue, Colonel Iho5urn is N command at
Petersburg He will receive all possible assistance from
Colonel Mnigan, who commands the division In which
Thoburn commands the Second brigade Petersburg lie
we'll fortified. To accomplish his purpose the enemy mus.
- very expeditions. Delay will prove fatal to his IN.
tsress. II s confidently believed Thoburn can hold ont
uati movements elsewhere compel the enemy TO abandon
ere moving In the aeghborhood OF Petersburg or oo
tween Petersburg aud New Creek
10 showing to-day sufficiently heavy 70 materially 10
terferc with the movements OF the reSel columns.
General Kelley has given orders that II the works
all hazards, and such time as rcfcrcements can
cut their way In
~ PETERSBURG
% situated about eleven Mocrfeld the county
sss OF Hardy county, the south branch
river. II the ceIebrz.cd gap tho Patterson creek
Mountains, called the Petersburg Gap Before the war
Petersburg insignificant village Of about hum
arod nhabants At tho % esent time .he place i as d.
lspidaed q out oid hat A, one time il boosted
% Two or three stoses sidrs shop, village black
Understand this Icraly) IN the habit OF remain
ing as permanent gucsts Ih. is located on the
side OF q hill rising from the water and the position in q
military point u Wow, n considered afordng on
portunjty for strong defence There ghts
that overlook the town. These have fortified. The
country open for dsan3e around the
town.
R'IN.
~hch runs OF the base Of the hill IS from iSo hundred
snd III 70 three hundred feet vide. N Il Deep
tuf exceedingly rapid ibc bed u the river Is very
rocky
safmall town " tbesofe the war) fva hnudrcd hab.
itsnts, aud very well britt. There we're rlanr snb.
szniia btck houses with tin roofs hors IL mas GOOD
pablo buildings aud hgtel. u is stnatod Ia the
midst valley fifteen mics Qng. and o.
Al average, three mites vide. This valley contalus come
o. the richest aud state. tits also the vcath.st
neghbo hood III the state Nearly an The lal nsuuses
substantial Luit pleasantly located. Tho valley
W henmed N with mountaoe thousand eet high, and
= posse scd VI pcturefque forms Of s'enry as
&c 10 MI IN any the nited STATES. Ihs vas the
great cattle raising county OF Vlrgira Tho tMd was
worth. IN times Of peaee from hundred 70 sne han
bred aud nifty dollars Ter acre rseei almost Isb lods
quantities Of ~, which was devoted to feeding cattle
being tati encd tor market The inhabitants wealthy
ova aud tat Thew great deer and bear hunet ~
the character OF tncr sports. lbs town, ike navy
cthers in i,s ncghborhood has changed and suffered
since the commencement u tho war.
Mr. Theodore &. wilson's Dispatches.
CUMBERLAND, Md, Jan. 4-Sgf