O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VI [S# 119]

UNION AND CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM JUNE 11, 1863, TO MARCH 31, 1864.--#7

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Richmond, July 31, 1863.

Lieut. Col. WILLIAM H. LUDLOW, Agent of Exchange:

SIR: I have found out that Spencer Kellogg at last. He is now in Castle Thunder and has been there perhaps two months. Military prisoners are not confined there as a general rule, and for that reason no inquiry was made in that quarter. He is charged with being a spy and deserter. The specification states that about the latter part of January, 1862, he appeared in front of Columbus, Ky., on the Mississippi, in a small boat, representing himself as a deserter from the Federal service and as desirous of joining the Confederate Army; that he was placed first on the floating battery and afterward transferred to the gun-boat General Polk, and then again at his own request transferred to the engineer corps on duty at Island No. 10; that whilst at the latter place he made sketches and drawings of the fortifications and defenses; that he was arrested and made his escape to the Federal authorities,«11 R R--SERIES II, VOL VI» <ar119_162> by whom he was promoted to the post of master, and while in that capacity was captured on board the Federal gun-boat Essex. The specification alleges that he made the drafts and sketches for the purpose of furnishing them as information to the Federal authorities. These are very grave charges. If they were less so I would send Kellogg to you. I have sent for the witnesses whose names are appended to the specification. They are in the Southwest. Kellogg shall have the speediest possible trial, and if the allegations of the specification are not sustained he will be delivered to you.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

RO. OULD,
Agent of Exchange.

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