We take the following from the New York
World:—
Edward R. Ruggles, a young man, 17 years of age, is at present detained at police headquarters by order of Secretary Seward, on the charge of being a bearer of dispatches from the rebel army, and also as being an emissary of the rebel government. The prisoner is a son of General Ruggles, now commander of a portion of the rebel forces in Virginia. He is a very intelligent and highly educated lad, rather prepossessing in appearance, and very engaging in conversation quick in perception, and acute in observation, and seems eminently adapted to the mission upon which he bas been sent out. He left Montgomery under private instructions, received from Jeff Davis in person, and made his way to Havana, from that place he proceeded to Aspinwall, where his over-inquisitiveness relative to American ocean and California steamers attracted the attention and excited the suspicion of the American consul, who forwarded a description of his person to Secretary Seward. Directions were at once sent to Superintendent Kennedy, to arrest the boy as soon as be landed in New York. Detectives Eustace and Farley were intrusted with the case. The lad arrived here, and put up at the Cortlandt street hotel, under the name of Seymour, doubtless assuming this name to throw the officers off the track, should there be any after him. Three hours after his arrival he was safe in the hands of the detectives, who at once lodged him at headquarters. The papers found upon him disclosed a most ingenious and elaborate plan for capturing the California steamers, the details of which were to be carried out with the greatest secrecy. Gen. Johnson, of California, was to be in the plot. Ruggles had also carefully prepared maps and many papers of great value. The arrest is so important that Secretary Seward telegraphed Mr. Kennedy on Saturday to use extra precautions in detaining the prisoner. Young as he is he has no little military experience, having been for several years at the Naval School at Annapolis. He was born in a fort, was constant attendant upon his father who held a commission in the army of the United States, and is therefore well calculated to see and comment upon any weak points, information of which might be of service to the enemy. The future disposition of the prisoner rests with the department at Washington.
Sunbury American, Sunbury, PA
Edward Seymour Ruggles
Edward S. Ruggles (not Edward R. as reported here) was the son of General Daniel Ruggles, CSA. After his release he served in both the Confederate Navy and Army.