On the 9th the regiment returned to camp, and shoes were issued to those of the men who needed them. The prisoners captured at Port Republic, were sent to the rear in charge of the 28th Ohio—whose term of service having expired—was going home. Here Chaplain Ferris resigned, his resignation being accepted at once; and he left for home with this return train. Our command left next morning, moving on three different roads, Averill on one, Crooks on another, and Hunter on the Lexington road. Our regiment marched in the rear as wagon guard. A very long and dusty march, passed through Greenville—where a large mill was destroyed—to Midway, a distance of eighteen miles, where we went into camp very tired. In a few moments company A was sent out as a support to a battery of artillery near the picket line, Saturday the 11th. We started at 5 A. M., drew rations of flour just as we left, but no time was allowed to prepare any of it; on this account, and the great heat and dust, the men became very much fatigued before night, and very many were compelled to fall back during the day. We marched seventeen miles to within sight of Lexington. We found Gen. Crooks here in advance and skirmishing with a small force of the enemy, who had burned the bridge over the river, and then scattered some sharpshooters along the shore, to harass our men, while constructing their pontoon bridge; but our troops soon drove them back with but small loss on our part. While this was being done, our division of infantry lay in position about two miles from town from 2 to 6 P. M. We then went into camp about half a mile from the river.