About the middle of September, the enemy having disappeared from our immediate front, General Ross sent me to Somerville, with instructions to reconnoiter the country all about, and find out, if possible, where the enemy had gone to, and such other information as I could obtain. I started out quite early in the morning, mounted on a mule, dressed like a citizen in easy circumstances. Whenever I met a planter, I would stop and converse with him about the "news from our army," and the prospects of the war, and the "d--d thieving Yankees that were robbing us of our cotton and niggers." In the course of such conversation, I learned there were no rebel forces in that immediate vicinity. About noon, I reached Somerville. There I found every thing quiet as a Sabbath morning. Passing through the town, I took the road to Moscow. Coming to a large, fine brick house that stands near the railroad depot, I drew up and alighted from my mule, and went in, in pursuit of some dinner. "Stranger," said I, addressing an elderly gentleman that I found on entering, "can I get some dinner here?" "I reckon so," he said, handing me a chair; "dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Sit down." I complied. "Where do you belong?" he inquired. "My home is in Memphis, Tennessee, but"-- Just then I was interrupted by the entrance of two men, who came in from an adjoining room, one of whom asked me where I belonged. "I was just saying to this gentleman," I replied, "that my home is in Memphis, Tennessee, but I came from Bolivar here." "Do you belong to the Federal army?" "No, sir; I am a citizen of this State, and my home, as I said before, is in Memphis." "How came you to be in Bolivar?" "I went out there to see General Neely and Doctor Coleman, and the Adamses, and several others that I am acquainted with, and when I got in there the Yankees would not let me out when I wanted them to, and I had to remain there several days." "Did you get a pass from the Yank's to get out with?" "Yes, sir; but it only passed me out, and was retained by the pickets." "Have you got any fire-arms or papers with you?" "No, sir; I had a nice navy revolver that I carried to Bolivar, but I was obliged to leave it with an acquaintance when I left, to keep the Yankees from taking it away from me." "Well, sir, you may consider yourself my prisoner, and after dinner we'll go down to Cold Water and see what they can do for you there." "Gentlemen," said I, "I am no Yankee soldier. I am a citizen, and I can't see what object you can have in taking me there." "It don't matter whether you do or not. I think that they will have some use for you."