"I could make good use of a good company, skilled as within described. I have no personal knowledge of Corporal Ruggles.
"O. O. Howard, Major-General."
The foregoing letters and indorsements, and General Grant's indorsement—which is yet to follow—were furnished me for these pages, accompanied by the following letter by the War Department:
"War Dep't, Adjutant-General's Office,
"Washington, August 13, 1866.
"Mr. Lorain Ruggles, (Care of Major E. C. Downs, late of the 20th
Ohio Vols., Henrie House,) Cincinnati, Ohio:
"Sir—I have respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2d inst., requesting to be furnished with copies of letters asking authority for you to raise a command of scouts, etc., with the indorsements thereon recommending the same, for publication in a work detailing your experience as a scout.
"In reply, I have to transmit herewith copies of the letters referred to, with the indorsements thereon, as requested.
"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Thomas H. Vincent,
"Assistant Adjutant-General."
With the two letters of recommendation and their indorsements, I proceeded to Ohio, and presented them to Governor Brough, who read them over very carefully, then returned them to me, and ordered that I be furnished with the necessary recruiting papers and set to work immediately.
Having received the necessary documents, I set to work at once, and in a very short time had procured twenty-one men. With these, I went to Columbus, and reported in person to the Adjutant-General. He read over my order from the Governor, and then said, "Did you raise your men under that order as scouts?"