CUMBERLAND, MD., January 23, 1864.

(Received 3. 35 p. m.)

Brigadier General G. W. CULLUM, Chief of Staff:

The following telegram just received and forwarded for the information of the General-in-Chief:

HARPER'S FERRY, W. VA., January 23, 1864.

Brigadier-General KELLEY, Cumberland, Md.:

My scout this morning to Strasburg numbers 745 men. Ninety-seven deserters have reported at this post since 1st January. The President's amnesty is having good effect. I am scattering it all through the country.

J. C. SULLIVAN,

Brigadier-General.

B. F. KELLEY,

Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE,
Petersburg, W. Va., January 23, 1864.

Lieutenant M. J. RUSSELL,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Second Div., Dept. of West Va.:

LIEUTENANT: Twenty-five refugees and deserters arrived this evening from Augusta and Rockingham Counties. They confirm previous reports concerning the whereabouts of the enemy, and all agree that Fitzhugh Lee with two brigades has gone to Charlottesville and gone into winter quarters. Rosser's brigade is at Timberville. One young man says that Imboden is encamped on his (the young man's) father's farm, within 1 mile of Mount Crawford, with one company picketing Brock's Gap. General Early is at Taylor's Springs, within 3 miles of Harrisonburg. They all say that the late rebel conscription act will drive forty-nine out of fifty of those conscripted out of the country. An immense tide of emigration northward will set in as soon as winter is over.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. THOBURN,

Colonel.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. SECOND DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
New Creek, W. Va., January 24, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the general commanding department.

JAS. A. MULLIGAN,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE CAVALRY,
Charleston, W. Va., January 23, 1864.

Brigadier General E. P. SCAMMON,

Commanding Third Division, Department of West Virginia:

GENERAL: It is my painful duty, after four months of hard labor, to place my command in a state of complete efficiency for field duty, to make you the following statement:

My brigade is composed, as you know, as follows: Thirty-fourth