"Our instructions are to take all such customers as you are to the Provost-marshal."
"I can't help that I am a Federal soldier, and I want you to take me to the General."
They then called the corporal of the guard. I knew him; he belonged to the 25th Indiana Infantry. I had frequently seen him in Memphis, during my stay there in the winter; but he knew me as my secesh acquaintances had known me—as a rebel Major. I prevailed on him, however, to send me to the General, whom I learned from him was General Prentiss.
As soon as we arrived at the General's quarters, the guards explained how they had captured me, and then returned to their post, leaving me with the General.
When ready to attend to me, he said: "Well, where do you belong?"
"To General Grant's army."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came in from the other side of the river."
"What do you want here?"
"I want to take a steamboat down the river and report myself to General Grant."