After this affair the brigade of Jackson retired to within twelve or fifteen miles of Orange Court House, where it remained until about the first of March, when Sheridan moved down the Valley in heavy force, and captured the little that remained of Early’s command near Waynesboro’. The First Maryland was ordered to hang upon his flank, which it did with great tenacity, first striking him on James river, beyond Charlottesville, and following him to the White House, on York river. So small a force could accomplish nothing by a direct attack, and it therefore confined its operations to cutting off scouting and marauding parties, which amounted in the aggregate to more than their own number three times over. The battalion rested for some days near Richmond after it had returned from following Sheridan, when it was ordered to join Lomax in West Virginia. It accordingly marched to join that officer, and when about two days advanced on the journey, was ordered back with all speed to report to General Fitz. Lee at Stony creek, twenty miles from Petersburg. Reaching Richmond on the evening of April 2d, 1865, it went into camp on its suburbs. Early next morning (Sunday) the battalion moved through the city, and had the pleasure of greeting many of their comrades, prisoners on parole, awaiting exchange. The day had nothing of Sabbath quiet, churches were unattended, and the streets filled with anxious crowds of soldiers and citizens eagerly seeking and discussing the army news. Already many painful rumors were rife betokening disaster, but resolutely refusing to doubt the success of the cause in which their very souls were embarked, the little band of Marylanders—now reduced to less than one hundred in the saddle—pushed on, followed by the regrets and blessings of their paroled brothers, whose obligations forbade them, as yet, to take part in the stirring events then occurring. As the lines at Petersburg were approached, it was inexpressibly cheering to see everything calm, and the army apparently as confident and defiant as ever.