GENERAL ORDERS NO. 97
Headq’rs of the Army, Adj’t General’s Office,
Washington, November 9, 1861
The following Departments are formed from the present Departments of the West. Cumberland and Ohio:
I. The Department of new Mexico – to consist of the Territory of New Mexico – to be commanded by Colonel E.R.S. Canby, U.S.A.
II. The Department of Kansas – to include the State of Kansas, the Indian Territory west of Arkansas, and the Territories of Nebraska, Colorado and Dacotah – to be commanded by Major General Hunter; Headquarters at Fort Leavenworth.
III. The Department of the Missouri – to include the States of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas and that portion of Kentucky west of the Cumberland river – to be commanded by Major general H.W. Halleck, U.S. A.
IV. The Department of the Ohio – to consist of the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and that portion of Kentucky east of the Cumberland River and the State of Tennessee – to be commanded by Brigadier General D.C. Buell; Headquarters at Louisville.
V. The Department of Western Virginia – to consist of that portion of Virginia included in the old Department of the Ohio – to be commanded by Brigadier General W.S. Rosecrans, U.S.A.
By Order:
JULIUS P. GARESCHE, Assistant Adjutant General