Probable suicide
--A person calling himself J. M B. Ruttedge, Lieutenant in the Texas cavalry, has mysteriously disappeared from the Globe Hotel, in Augusta, Ga, and has probably committed suicide. In the room which he had occupied were found two empty envelopes, one of which was directed to ‘"Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War, Richmond,"’ and had on it the following words:‘"The acc't for $95.50 will be paid by Q. M. Gen't at Richmond, or Maj G. W. Clark. at Ft. Smith, Ark."’
On the other side of the envelope were these words:
‘"will the members of the M. E. Church have me buried? J M. B. Rutledge, Augusta, Ga., April 8th, 1862."’
The other envelope is one of the Southern Express Company's by which Mr. Butledge seems to have forwarded to Savannah, for collection, a bill on the Confederate States for $846-17, which was returned to him with this endorsement: ‘"Quartermaster refuses to pay the enclosed bill; March 31st, 1862"’
On the blank side of the envelope are the following words:
"How foolish it is for man to deprive himself of that life granted by the Almighty for useful purpose, but when (an illegible word) becomes misery — my life for the last few days has been a most miserable one. In debt, too proud to let strangers know my situation, no resource left but running away or dying.
‘"It may be necessary to mention that the latter I received for delivery in Arkansas was forwarded to Arkansas, enclosed in one to a friend of mine, who will do the best in the promises."’
‘"My last act was a one--may God bless the kind friends I have made in Augusta"’
‘"The die is cast — may God have mercy on my . Please write to Mr. N. Lawrence island; or Mrs. George H. Stean, of Charleston, S, C., st. J. L. Randolph, of Sherman, Grayson county, Texas."’
