"His Henry rifle, given to him by General Grant, was one of the marked pieces among the sharp-shooters of the 17th Corps at that siege.
"Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
"M. F. Force,
"Brig.-Gen'l. Vols., late Colonel 20th Ohio."
"Head-quarters 3d Div., 17th Army Corps,
"Vicksburg, Miss., December 7, 1863.
"Captain E. C. Downs:
"Dear Sir—Mr. Ruggles (or 'General Bunker,' as he is better known) has acted as scout and spy for me on very many occasions since the early part of June, 1862, and is now acting in that capacity. In this character he has been remarkably successful, seldom ever failing to satisfactorily accomplish the mission on which he was sent.
"Many scenes of his life as a spy are intensely interesting. It has been my fortune to meet in life very few persons who could so successfully act an assumed character.
"At some future time, I shall probably be at liberty to relate a few incidents of considerable interest in his career, of which he himself is as yet ignorant.
"Very respectfully,
"M. D. Leggett,
"Brigadier-General."
"Memphis, Tenn., November 28, 1863.
"Captain E. C. Downs: