McCausland met the advance of the Federal cavalry on the Liberty Mills road, northwest of Gordonsville, destroying the stores there collected, and breaking General Lee's line of supply over the Virginia Central railroad. This engagement closed the contentions of General Early with the Federals for the year 1864. He then established his headquarters at Staunton, put Wharton's division in winter cantonment near Fishersville; Long's artillery battalion went into camps near Waynesboro, the rest of the artillery that had been with Early having gone to Richmond. Early located remnants of his war-worn cavalry in small camps in Piedmont, in the Valley, and in the Appalachia, far out to the front, to the east, northeast, north and northwest, where forage could be had for their horses, and where they could prevent incursions of the enemy and give Early intelligence of any forward movements. Signal stations were located and telegraphs put in order connecting these cavalry camps with headquarters at Staunton.
