The next morning we went on through New Market, where we wandered around some over the ground, of our fight here of May 15th. The trees and fences plainly giving evidence of the terrible musketry fire on that day. Resuming our march we went on through Harrisonburg, where we found the army encamped. While here we made out “Muster and Pay-Rolls,” and straightened up our papers generally. The regiment had two hundred and fifty eight men, and four officers for duty, Capt. Chamberlin in command, with Lieutenants Husted, Bevington and Keyes under him. On October 4th Lieut. Meiggs, of Gen. Sheridan’s staff, was bushwhacked while making observations of the roads in our vicinity, in retaliation for which, Sheridan ordered that every house and barn within five miles of the murder should be burned to the ground. This order was afterwards revoked, so far as the little town of Dayton was concerned, which came within the prescribed limits. On the 6th of October we again broke camp, and started back down the valley. Our brigade was in the rear of the infantry, and directly behind us came the cavalry, who had orders to destroy all barns, stacks of grain, and everything that could support a Rebel Army. The smoke that filled the valley as far as we could see to the rear, was conclusive proof that the order was being executed to the letter. We reached Cedar Creek on the 11th and went into camp on the east side, taking our position on the left of the 19th corps, and here we held our first election, in accordance with the law, allowing soldiers in the field to vote. Col. Kellogg and Capt. Kellogg came up just in time to exercise their elective franchise. Capt Chamberlin, who had ably commanded the regiment since the 15th of September, was now relieved, and Lieut. Col. Kellogg, assumed command. We were all glad to see his genial phiz once more for all knew him, the kind, true friend, the brave and accomplished officer. We now had six officers in the line for duty, more than at any other time since the Hunter Raid.