On the morning of the 17th we again broke camp, and on the afternoon of the 18th arrived at Petersburg, a small hamlet forty-two miles from New Creek. We, in a general way, now understood that a force of rebels were near, and great caution was observed on the picket line, and very little wandering from camp was indulged in by the men. And to see how alert the camp was, on the afternoon of the 19th the long roll was sounded, our regiment getting into line in six minutes. That night we slept upon our arms for the first time, at a later day a very ordinary occurrence. On the 28th, the 116th O. V. I., and one section of the 1st Virginia battery left for Moorefield, about eleven miles distant, and took possession of the town. We remained here until January 3d. At nine o’clock in the morning, orders were received to break camp at once; tents were struck, wagons loaded, and started for New Creek, and by quarter past ten we were on the way to Moorefield. Soon after starting, the firing of cannon was heard, satisfying us that there was business ahead. Never did the regiment march better; those eleven miles were passed over in two hours and ten minutes. Reaching the river bank, Co. A was sent down the left bank of the river, and Cos. B and G were ordered across to feel of the enemy, who had surrounded the 116th on a hill near the town. Shots from a rebel battery on the hill beyond soon sent them back to the river bank, where they had orders to remain and await the return of scouts, who had been sent out to reach the camp of the 116th, if possible. All this time a continued firing was kept up from a section of our artillery, which must have done good execution, for the enemy did not long reply. Before night we joined the 116th, the rebels having withdrawn their forces. The morning was very bright and pleasant, but by night the winds swept cold and bleak down the valley, and we passed about as disagreeable a night as at any time during the war, for it will be remembered that our wagon train was sent back to New Creek with all our cooking utensils, provision and much of our heavier clothing; and though the 116th Ohio did all they could for our comfort, still our condition was anything but comfortable.