From this time the history of our organization, as a regiment again commences. At this place we were newly armed and equipped, and being deficient in officers, twenty-one being still in prison, were engaged mainly in provost and picket duty until March 1st 1864. During the month of November, Adjutant McCracken, with one non-commissioned officer from each company was sent to Ohio to recruit, and fill up our depleted ranks. Very good success was met with, adding one hundred and twenty-eight men to our effective force; some promotions were also made; sergeants S. A. Johnson, Elmer E. Husted, Charles M. Keyes and Martin W. Willoughby were promoted to 2d lieutenants. The winter was quietly spent in camp, which was located one-half mile west of town; when the weather permitted, drilling by company and squad occurred daily, so that when spring opened, the regiment was in good condition and ready for any duty which might turn up. On March 1st, 1864, the companies were distributed as guards along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, between Harpers Ferry and Monocacy Junction, with headquarters at Martinsburg. About the 26th of March the regiment was collected together at Martinsburg where Gen. Siegel was concentrating troops preparatory to a movement up the valley; and from the orders issued to our little army, we knew that our season of inaction was drawing to a close. On the 29th we broke camp at Martinsburg and marched out to Bunker Hill, remaining there two or three days, when we proceeded to Winchester and encamped about two miles beyond the city; a portion of the regiment was sent into the city, under command of Capt. Snyder to act as provost guard, with orders to search the town, which was done, and a large collection of old guns, swords and accoutrements were collected together and destroyed. About the 1st of May our forces moved up the valley as far as Cedar Creek, where they remained until the 10th making the final preparations for our grand raid on Lynchburg. Baggage was cut down to the minimum; each soldier was provided with an extra pair of shoes, and loaded down with rations and ammunition, we broke camp, and moved leisurely on through Strasburg, Woodstock, and Mt. Jackson, to New Market, where, on the night of the 14th we struck the enemy in some force, our brigade having the advance, we had a lively little skirmish, but of short duration, the Rebels soon giving way. We laid on our arms during the night, but no attack was made.