They took me on in the same direction that I had been traveling. Not a word was exchanged between us on the way. I watched narrowly every feature of the road and the country as we went, determined, if possible, to make my way back that night. About five miles from where I was captured, and nearly seven miles from Black River bridge, we came to General DeVieu's head-quarters. They were situated near the crossing of the roads, where the road from Baldwin's Ferry (below Black River bridge) to Edwards' Station crosses the one that I was on. When we arrived at General DeVieu's quarters, one of the guards went in, and I heard him say to the General, "We have got a man out there that we captured close to the Yankee lines, without a pass, and he says that he is a Confederate soldier. We could not find out his business, but he told us to bring him to you, and we have done so." "Well, have him come in," said the General. The guard came out, and told me to go in. As I entered, I took off my hat, and, saluting him, I looked him in the face with as much composure as though I had been his commanding officer. "Where have you been?" he inquired. "I have been inside of the Yankee lines about Vicksburg." "Where do you belong?" "I belong to General Price's army." "What were you doing here?" "I am now under orders from General Johnston to reconnoiter thoroughly about the Yankee lines at Vicksburg. I have done so, and I am now on my way to report to General Johnston." "Have you got any pass, or any papers to show that?" "No, sir, I haven't got the scratch of a pen about me; but, General, if you will go with me to General Johnston's Adjutant-General I can show you papers in his office that will tell you who I am and what my business is." "What is your name?" "Lorain Ruggles, sir; I am a brother to General Ruggles." "Ah! A brother of General Ruggles!" "Yes, sir." "Well, what is the news about Vicksburg?" "General, if you insist upon it, I shall have to tell you, because you are my superior officer, but my instructions from General Johnston were to reconnoiter thoroughly, and get all the information that I could, and then to report to him and to _him only_, and I reckon that he'll not like to have me report to any body else." "Ah! I beg your pardon, Mr. Ruggles. Excuse me! I don't want you to violate your instructions. I won't ask you any further questions about it. Do you wish to go right on to General Johnston's head-quarters?" "General, I have been considerably exposed, and a little short of rations for several days, and have traveled about on foot a great deal, and am very much fatigued; and if it would be agreeable to your good will and pleasure, I would like to remain in your brigade over night, and then go out to General Johnston's head-quarters to-morrow."