The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-09
THE wIsz TRIAL.


nocence, that he might have religious com
fort, and suggesting that Fathers WhelaI
and Hamilton be permitted to visit him IL
their pastoral capacity. The prisoner moi
being in the care of the Court the lettel
will be referred to the War Department
for its action, there being no doubt but the
request will be granted.
Lieutenant Tracy testified to Wirz
cruelty to the prisoners, and among the
acts was the shooting and killing
of man who had slipped over the dead
line while trying TO obtain water.
Col. Chapman said he now proposed to
introduce documentary evidence to show
that the Department at Richmond had
knowledge of the condition of the prison
at Andersonville in May last.
Captain q. IL. SeIphI Of the rebel army,
and four years in the Adjutsnt Generals
Office at Richmond testified testified to the
handwriting of Howell Cobb. In q letter
dated May, 1884 to Adjutsnt General
Cooper, Cobb says he has examined the
prison, and presumes its character is well
well understood at Richmond, and he gives
no description. The danger of the prison.
ers escaping was not 60 great as he had
supposed. With guard of 1900 men
pieces of artillery and cavalry company
ali apprehension of escape would be quiet.
ed. He had arranged to send two regi-
ments. He recommended the erection
of hospital building outside of the prison.
Such is the opinion Of every sensible man
who has examined the prison. The prison
is already too much crowded, and no addi-
tionsl prisoners should be sent there until
it has been enlarged. (NoTE lie had
previously stated that there were more
than &c, 600 there.) The fsct of increasing
the number will be sickness and death
during the summer. UNDERSTAND no zuyr
an order has been given for enlsrging the
prison. Ifit were possible to make another
prison it would be much better, for l doubt
very much whether the water will be sutfi-
cient for the accommodation of the in
creased number of prisoners. The general
management of the prison under Colonel
Pearson is good. The duties of inside
commander are admirably performed by
Captain Wirz, whose place it would be
difficult to FIJI. l think that the rank ofthe
officer commanding the post should be
that of BTigsdier General, in view of the
number of tEOors that will be under his
(Signed) HOWELL COBB.
Accompanying this is report from DR..
his Chief Surgeon, which says the
prisoners are too much crowded, and sug.
gests various Improvements, paying COM
pliment to DR.. White
A report from Wirz to Major Turner,
May 18th, 1864, was also filed. He would
commence to enlarge the stOcksde as soon
Is he could get enough negroes, and asked |
or them.
A report from General John II. Winder |
% General Cooper, dated July 21, 1854, |
vas also submitted, stating the number of |
at 29,200; that many are most |
desperate characters; giving the number of
,uard, a.. He says, "1ou speak of plsc-
ng the prisoners properly. l do not ex-
city comprehend what is intended by it.
know Of but one wsy to place them
here, and that is to put them into the
where they have between four
nd five square yards to the man. This
Includes streets and two acres of ground
bout the stream"
A letter also in evidence from Acting
Adjutsnt and Inspector General Chandler,
sted Andersonville,I July 9th, 1864, to
'ol. Chitten, Assistant Adjutant and In
pector General of Richmond. He gives
n account of his inspection of the prison,
sying, excepting the egress of the stream
is sandy and easily drained but for
lirty or forty yards on each side the
ream is muddy and the marsh is to-
ed ed as 8 s. sink aaiGpQatiop. spd having been
established, it is now in shocking condi-
on and cannot fail to bring pestilence.
forts were made by Captain Wirz to fill
p the marsh and construct sluice, the
pper end to be used for bathing, &C., and
le lower end as 8 sink, but the difficulty
procuring lumber and tools very much
,tards the work and threatens soon to
op it. No shelter whatever, nor mate
ais for making any, have been provided
y the prison authorities, and the ground
sing entirely bare of treee, none is within
zach of the prisoners, nor has it been pos
bic from the over. crowded state of the en-
osure to srranget the camp. Each man has
sen permitted to protect himself as best
3 can, by using his blanket or Whatever
3 may have about him, on such sticks as
q can procure. Of other shelter there has
sen none. There is no medical atten-
snce within the stockade Twenty are
lrted out daily, who have died from un-
nown causes, whom the medical officers
ave never seen. The dead are hauled out
sily by wagon load and buried without
films, their hands, in many instances,
eing mutilsted by an ak in the removal of
nger rings. There may have been no
zap or clothing issued. After inquiry, the
ritter is convinced that, with slight ex-
option, green corn could be obtained. The
ospital arrangements were only intended
II ten thousand men and are totally
sufficient for the present needs, the
umber of prisoners being now more than
lree times greater. The great number of
ases requiring medical treatment is in an
lcreased ratio. Il is impossible to obtain
le numbers. Many OF them are dying
-ithin the stocksde whom the medical
leir remains were brought out for inter-
lent. The transportation facilities of the
ost are slso represented to be entirely in
Efficient, and authority was needed by the
.usrtermaster to impress wsgons and
,ams and saw.mills, when not employed
y the government into his service, and
ept diligently occupied, and instructions
iVen to the Quartermaster in charge
the transportion to afford
very facility possible for trans
ortlng lumber and supplies neces-
lry for the prisoners. A supplementary
.eport made by the same officer, in which
g says the conduct of Wirz is entitled to
and that he is properly
ualifed for his position. He was recon-
tended for promotion, os appears from
ther papers, and that the Assistant Sec
etary of War, S. O. Campbell, endorsed
be reports. They show q condition of
hings which calls for the interposition of
be War Department; the prison being 8
eprosch to the Cenfederstes as 8 nation
Colonel Chapman alsoofsred in evidence
be report of the rebel Surgeon General
doore, to show that the fault at the hospi.
al was owing TO DR.. White, the latter
Laving failed to send his requisitions direct
o the Medical Purveyor. Not having re-
eived supplies, owing to his own neglect.
General Chandler suggested the removal
# the general superintendent Of prisoners
md the substitution of come one
Who has some feelings of hu.
humanity and who will not like Winder,
uffer the prison 70 remain ss it was in
,rder that the discomforts and sufferiDRs |
ire represented to be almost Incredible, |
With frightfuI per centum of mortality,
hus showing, criminal Indifference on the |
part of those charged with their care and |
comfort.
Osptsin Selph also swore to the official