The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-29

fenee-Tho Andersonville Prison Rules
Drawn Up by Wirz-Rebel Soldiers
Wearing the Clothing OF Union Prison.
ers, sc.
WASHINGTON Sept %, 1885,
The wirz Military Commission reassembled to-day.
The examination Of Colonel Persons was resumed:-
While he commanded at Andersonville boxes Of supplies
from the Sanitary Commission reached there; he had
them in the prisoners for which they thanked
him; witness never knew Of Captain Wirz being absent
with the dogs; penitentiary offence for Confed
crates TO trade for greenbacks he thought this was
decedb Of Congress and by statute Of the State
Of Georgia. the country around Andersonvle poor
and a consequence vegetables scarce after
negroes had reached Andersonvle he addressed
communication TO General Winder asking what dsposi
ton should be made Of them; the reply was that the
question In abeyance at Richmond and until II
settled that they should be prisoners Of
witness did not know whether scntrcs relieved
after shooting Union prsoners such information never
reached him. in the rules and regulations for the gov
erLment OF the prisoners, signed by Captain Wrz,
trading by the prisoners interdicted
Cross examined by Judge Advocate CHIPMAN--Wtness
first assigned TO the command Of the troops and next
TO the post great effort made 10 build accommOda-
ons for the prisoners Captain wirz assumed the re-
sponsibily Of erecting dead house
JUoGE ADvocArr-Woud IL not have been more hu-
to build shelter for the kving9
WIrNEss-I think II was impracticable for Captain
Wrz to furnish all the shelter required.
JUDGE ADvocATE-You do not answer my question
WIrNESS-Thcn l answer yes; some Snclter might
have been built think the Quartermaser had sufi-
cient energy; never exercised the right to punish pr
soners Captain Wrz received any order for that
purpose from me- the latter responsible for what he
did there; Captain Wrz drew up the rules and regula
tons, and they had my approval Captain Wirz abored
ndeatgably; whether or he accomplished all be de-
sired do not know but do know that the prison was
not half cared for think the responsibility rests
those who crowded so many prisoners there.
BY the CorRr-Captan Wirz drew up the PRISON rules
by his own authority witness approved OF them because
he thought they were right there was no dead line
therein provided for was subsequently erected by vr
tue, he supposed, Of Captain Wrz's own rank.
Nazareth Allen, OF the Third Georgia Reserves, who
had been examined for the prosecution, called
for the defence-There was good deal Of sickness In
his regiment, and, owng to the heavy duty required,
much dissatisfaction existed among the men, and some
of them strayed away; the effect OF bad
darrhea and other diseases among the troops; he saw
some Of his men wearing old clothing which they had
purchased from the Union prisoners when General
Stonemans captured raiders brought to Anderson
vile they were searched, and jewelry, paper money,
ladies' shaws pockebooks, gold table spoons and silver
tbem witness never heard that furloughs could be OBJ
tained for shooting Union prisoners.
Cross. examined by the Judge Advocate-Wtness
knew Of no soldier dying from starvation emacation
because Of insufficient food.
@ Was the clothing which you rebel soldiers
taken from the dead bodies of Union soldlers2 A. do
not know, but believe so.
Mr.. BAKER-Tell US all about it,
The JuDoE ADVOCATE objected, saying the witness had
Mr.. BAxxR insisted that the witness should tell about
Ine COUhT-Ar bhkeT, your hCOn 1S very improper
Mr.. BAKxR-The Judge Advocate stopped the witness
answering the question In full.
The CorRr-He is the Judge Advocates witness
Mr. BAKRR-I must call the attention Of the Court
The CoURr tinterruptngi-Mr Baker, we don't want
70 hear It. II is very improper.
Mr. BAKER-Let have tho whole Of tho Of the
witness
The couRr-Let the witness proceed. We don't want
any assistance Of yours at ALL
The JUDGE ADvocATH-The witness said he did not
know OF his own knowledge.
Mr. BAKER said the Judge Advocate asked the witness
question: but before ho had hall answered stopped
him. The Court when Boston Corbstt before them,
ordered him 90 and complete his under cir
cumstances similar 70 those now pending
The COURr said u was not TO be presumed that tho
Judge Advocate would violate the rules Of the court
The JUDGE ADVOCATE reported that the witness had
answered the question.
The CouRr asked the wtness-Were they opinions or
facts you were about TO state?
The WIrNEss-My opinions.
The COURr-We have already decided VIC do not care
about opinona
Mr.. BAxER-I ask that the Court pass on H.
The CouRr-We have done II repeatedly. We don't
care about the opinions Of witnesses unless they
professional.
Mr. BAxn-The witness stopped In the midst Of
his answer
Tho CouRr-we have decided the question. I tell you
again need argument. II you will take your seat
will take the question.
The CouRr voted when tho result was announced in
tho following words" The Court don't about tho
opinions Of witnesses"
Other witnesses then examined for the defence
when the court adjourned