Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-11-11
Wirz, AnfohiorranhL

washington NOV. s. Cor. Columbus Journal
Wirzthi afternoon gavet the attendants of
his prison a full statement of his life. The
main points are as follows:
He was born in Zurich, Switzerland, and
came to this country first in 1886, landing
in New York. He had been literally edu-
Gated, and endeavored to get connected
with some physician, but his entire ignor-
ance Of the English language standing in
his way he abandoned the idea, and after
short stay in Connecticut, went to Law
renee, Mass and became engaged in a
shawl factory.
From there he went to Kentucky, where
he married, but being apparently welded
to nomadic habits, migrated Eastward.
and lived for a time in Philadelphia. Not
becoming established, he went to Louis-
lana where he was employed as physi-
can on a plantation, and there continued
until the breaking out of the war, when
ne Immediately enlisted as q private.
onA-D@ssyysl Of his regiment in Vir-
ginia, he was detailed as a CLERK to ono Of.
the Richmond prisons. After some SER
vice here he was promoted TO Captain and
Assistant Adjutant General and ASSIGNED
to the staff of Winder and White. and
thus serving was wounded at the battle of
Fair Oaks.
When he had become fit for dutv he
was assigned TO the post of Provost Mar
shAl at Manchester, Virginia. BY this
Time ne mad attracted the attention of the
feDei authorities and was sent on an in
spectlng tour OF the Southern prisons. His
wound still troubling him, he obtained a
furlough and went to Europe in the sum-
mer OF 1868, where he spent three or four
months.
On his return in the fall of that wear he
was put on duty at AndersonvilIe. where
ne remained until the Confectionery busted.
TO use his own expression. In regard TO
analrs there he says that the prisoners
were undoubtedly horribly heated ana
that some one deserves punishment, but
that he is not the gully party.
he denies that he ever shot men while |
on duty there. He refused. however 10
crlminste others-by name; and when ask
ed concerning Winders connection ~itb
the prison, evaded a reply. He is calm /
and resigned, and while denying his guilt
does not accuse the Government of inius-
tice towards him.
mus Tar he has made no requests what !
ever respecting his family. He denies the
statements concerning his frauds upon
railroads IN Switzerland, and saws in proof
that when he left that country there wos
not a railroad in it.
The gallOws is already nearly finished
and preparations for the execution COM
pleted. 1t will be private, General Auonr
having issued only one hundred tickets of
admission, which have been distributed.
: The Democratic advance-guard of tbe
forces marching up from the South against
the Federal Treasury and the National
credit isl in sight. Georgia m for
pay Tor her slaves freed by the Proc
iamalon OF Emancipation. South Carolina
nas appointed acommisiOn 10 collect evil
denee to support claims against the
government for unlawful Seizures Of
eottonr That win include every bale lost
in the State and hundreds Of Thousands
that never were lost and never eyista5
Friends of the country, if Won wonId
avoid financial and economical dancers
and troubles, fully as affective AS has 6san
the war, see to it that life and power ba NOT
to the Democratic party. Yon
Destroyed this party at the polls while il
on its march to join the rebellion.
Never allow it to organize in force and 90
,ver to the South to fasten upon the
North the expenses and losses of the re-