From Virginia

Cumberlaud, Jan. 8. A diapatch just received frora Colonel Thaburu, commaudiug at Petersburg, inforins ino tbat tbe rebel forcé which has beeu threateuiDg for several days past, has retired toward tbe SheDaudoab. Valley. Tho torce was a fürtuiduble oue, cousisting of thrtía brigadas, Lee's, Walker's aud tiosser's, all uuder commaad of Gea. Fitzhugh Lee. Deserters report that it was the intentiou of Lee to capture the garrison at Petersburg, take New Creek aod Cumborlan d, destroj our stores, break the railroad by buruiug the bridges, &c. I am happy to inforni you ttiat the great raid undertaken by Gen. Early, in retali ation for our lato uiovemeuts iu this dopartment has thus far resulted a a com píete í'ailure or fizzle. An einpty wagon train of Gol. Thaburu, returuing froin Petersburgh, waa captuied by a portion of tho ecemy's torces. With tbisexception, they have not thus far been able to iefliet upou us any Djury. Many deserters are coiuiug iu, aud our cavalry are picking up many htragglers. The rail road is aat'e, and trains are runuing regularly. The woather ia cold and the snow several iuehes deep. (Signed)