nder Lt. Col.
Minor moved by the way of Richmond and Ervin to Hazel Green, and had a
skirmish with the enemy at that place, capturing twenty-five prisoners.
The remainder of the Regiment, under Col. Garrard, went to Mt. Sterling,
by the way of Richmond and Winchester, charging the town and driving the
rebels from it, but not in time, however, to save a portion of it from
flames.

The place had been surrendered a short time previous, by Col. Ratcleffe of
the 10th Kentucky Cavalry.

The enemy being hotly pursued on the Owensville road, made a stand on
State Creek, four miles out, but after a sharp engagement were driven from
their position, with a loss of eight killed.

About three weeks were occupied in traversing this mountainous country.
The rain and snow falling almost continuously, made the roads in places
impassable. The Regiment all got together at Lexington, about the first of
April.

Immediately on the arrival of the regiment at Lexington, an order was
issued by Gen. Gilmore, for Capt. Rankin to report with Company E to the
Provost Marshal of the District. Upon doing so, the duty assigned him was
to make a scout through Jessamine, Mercer, Woodford and Anderson counties,
and if possible, to arrest and bring to Lexington a rebel, Col. Alexander,
who had up to this time baffled all efforts made for his capture.

The scouting party returned, being successful in the capture of Col.
Alexander, together with a rebel recruiting officer, met on the highway,
who on being searched was found to have on his person a recruiting
officer's papers authorizing him to proceed from Beech Grove, Tenn., to
the counties above mentioned, to recruit for John Morgan's command,
stationed at Beech Grove; also, taking from the cliffs, bordering on the
Kentucky river, near Shakertown, a member of John Morgan's command
concealed there.

The day after their return, this Company was sent to Cynthiana and did
duty for some weeks with the 118th Ohio, in breaking up recruiting
station, Col. Mott commanding.

After having completed this service, Co. E, Capt. Rankin commanding, was
ordered first to Paris, thence to Carlisle, which place was reached about
midnight. Being aided by a small party of citizens, he continued his march
about six miles to a mill on the north-fork of Licking river where he
captured a picket-post of sixteen rebel soldiers, and then returned to
Paris on the following day.

In the meantime, the regiment bore a conspicuo