In the meantime, Co. E, Capt. R. C. Rankin's Company, quartered at Ripley, Ohio, rendered valuable service to the city of Maysville, Ky., in defending her against John Morgan's command, and on the night of September 20th, 1862, crossed the Ohio River and marched to Brookville, Ky., a distance of twenty-five miles, and participated in the attack and the driving from the place, the rebels under Basil Duke, who was engaged in paroling the citizens carried away by him from Augusta, which place he had captured and burned the day previous. Capt. R. C. Rankin, with Co. E and a squad of mounted citizens from Ripley, Ohio, made a charge on the place, capturing one rebel as they went in, and having one man killed by the retreating rebels. The gallant Duke did not stand upon the order of his going, but just "went." This may be recorded as the first blood the Seventh saw in battle. Ripley being connected with a large portion of Kentucky by turnpike roads, was selected as the place for the Regiment to rendezvous and receive instructions, which duty devolved principally on Lt. Col. Minor, who proved himself fully competent to the task. Col. Garrard's time being occupied in equipping the Regiment. The first Battallion reached Ripley about the 1st of October, and on the 19th of October, this Battallion and twenty-five men of Co. E, under command of Capt. R. C. Rankin, all being under Lt. Col. Minor, crossed the Ohio River and made a scout to Falmouth, Ky., (in obedience to orders from Gen. Wright, Commanding Dept. of Ohio,) reaching there on the third day, and finding it occupied by Federal troops. Passing through four counties, they returned to camp at Ripley, bringing with them three prisoners captured by the advance--Capt. R. C. Rankin's twenty-five men of E Co. being the advance. The First Battallion crossed the river about the 1st of November, and took up the line of march for Lexington, Ky., Major Rainey commanding, and joined Gen. Carter in December, accompanying that officer on his raid into East Tennessee, by the way of Pound Gap, and participated in the burning of Carter's Station and the bridge across the Watauga River at Zollicoffer, Tenn.; returning to Kentucky, with the loss of one man killed and a few lost as prisoners, after an absence of three weeks. Four companies broke camp and crossed the river at Maysville, Ky., on the 21st of December, and took up their march for Danville, Ky., reaching there on the 24th, Lt. Colonel commanding. In obedience to orders of Gen. Baird, commanding at Danville, Company E, Capt. Rankin in command, was ordered to Harrodsburgh for the purpose of sending scouting parties on the different roads leading from that place, and rendered much valuable service to Gen. Baird, by keeping him posted as to the movements of John Morgan, who had invaded the State and was approaching that point.