Richmond, Va., April 5, 1864.
Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER, Agent of Exchange:SIR: I have been reliably informed that a Mr. Jourdan, of Prince William County, Va., has been arrested by the Federal authorities and tried as a spy. I hope it is only necessary for me to bring the facts of this case to yonr attention in order to secure his prompt release.
Some time ago a party of Federal soldiers, clothed in Confederate uniform, visited Mr. Jourdaun's house, representing themselves as Confederate soldiers. They made many and minute inquiries of Mr. Jourdan, and he gave them all the information in his possession. A few days afterward Mr. Jourdan was arrested by the Federal authorities as a spy. I take it for granted it is not the purpose of your Government to entrap any man in this way. I will thank you to make the proper inquiry into this case and inform me what course is intended to be pursued. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD,
Agent of Exchange.
Agent of Exchange.
Source: Official Records, Series 2, Volume 7.
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