The pursuit of Lee began, but he was too swift for Meade, and escaped across the Potomac. After various movements on both sides of the Potomac, which was crossed July 17th, the 124th bivouacked at Manassas Gap July 22nd, in sight of the place of its first skirmish. Then the regiment had 700 rank and file, a full field staff and twenty-five line officers. Now, although about thirty convalescents had returned, it had less than 200 men in all. The corps, commanded by Major General French had been strengthened since Gettysburg by about 8,000 new troops. General Ward still commanded the division. There were some undecisive {_sic_} movements and skirmishing in which the 124th participated. Lieutenant Colonel Cummins, having recovered, returned and took command of the regiment July 28th. It was soon established in camp near Sulphur Springs and remained there six weeks. September 10th, in consequence of the backward movement of Lee's army, General Meade pushed a heavy cavalry force across the Rapidan, and soon the entire army was transferred to the region between the Rapidan and Rappahannock. The 124th broke camp September 15th, and next encamped near Culpepper. October 2nd Lieutenant Colonel Cummins was given a leave of absence for five days, and left Captain Weygant in command. There were some uncertain movements, one of which followed a retrograde movement of Lee, October 19th, but he was found to be out of reach and General Meade gave up the pursuit until twenty miles of railroad could be re-built. Next came the fight at Kelly's Ford of November 7th, in which the 124th supported the 10th Massachusetts Battery, and the Confederates were defeated. Ward's division took possession of the ford and captured over 500 prisoners. The Union loss was only about fifty. Sedgwick's right wing attacked works on the bank of the Rappahannock, carried them by a brilliant _coup de main,_ and captured 1,500 prisoners, his loss being about 300. In the march next day toward Beverly Station, with Ward's division in front, the 124th was deployed as flankers and was under fire for some time. There was no more fighting until November 27th, when the fight at Locust Grove took place, followed by that at Mine Run. The 124th took part in both, and lost one killed, eight wounded and three captured. December 1st Meade ordered a retrograde movement, and the regiment settled down to a long stay at Brandy Station and Culpepper. March 17 General Birney sent an order to Colonel Cummins stating that to equalize the brigades the 124th would be transferred to the Third Brigade. This was so displeasing that fourteen officers of the regiment petitioned General Birney to allow them to remain under Brigadier General Ward. Major General Birney replied that "the request of the officers of this gallant regiment would be fully considered," and he would try to grant it. This was done, and the 124th remained in Ward's Brigade. Meanwhile it had