The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-01
Pcrsona, Appearancc OF Wir..


Henry Wirz is Swiss by pmth and has an mmstaka-
bic foreign air and In the early part Of the
war he did duty at Rlchmond whcro he was SIMPLY
known a low bred and vulrafcreaiurc who had
socation with the call gentlemen OF society Of
the army. Afterwards he went 20 Europe secret
vice business for the rebel State Department What the
business IL not definitely known; but some facts
point TO the conclusion that II was In connection with
of Bcnamins schemes for raising troops among the
pcasanry OF Poland Germany and other central States Of
Europe After his return TO this country Wz was, for
time detached service in New Orleans In the early
part Of 1854 within four FIVE months after the esab
shment of the Andersonville prison. he turned mp
commandant Of that institution ht tool for the heIsh
spirit OF the winders who were his immediately superior
on crs.
wirz is man apparently about forty two or forty.
three years OF age five feet nno inches height and
weighing not far from one hundred and ihirtynve
pounds He IL s0megh ha. round shouldcrnd, AMI
walks stands IN erect posturc, that ir appears
scarcely taller than who measure bat hvcfcot
inches. There is no elastic ~ or spfngincss in
his step; but lie shufcs along If stunning observa
ton and he sometimes looks out from under c brim Of
his old silk hat as IL he feared the crowd through which
he TO and fr2m Che place Of confinement gives
rrc,a Snc q" he a an go S@es and forth wi,h3af 1sins
any insult He wears cheap black cloth coat, which
l. always buttoned old dars vest and reddish brown
pants of some ribbed barred stat HIS shoes such
as arc called here Office slipper. sloveniness and
general untidincss seem natural 70 him, though
P,s hands arc long. bony and ns.hiess Hc
is much given TO using the right with the first two
fingers extended and the last two and inc tnsmb shut
into the ranriylng him sort Of prm and precise air
that no other a tation of character that ne nae yet
made seems justify. The general aneuianty OF 'he
man may be due 10 confinement without exercise T
NAV te his natural condion but the brown and leathcry
character OF his skin " clearly enough s normal cond
Ton, and makes his face noticeable on .ns
cut about half inch in length, and so trained ~ 70
conceal the contour Of his mouth. His hair Is OF dark
uowp color HIS head IL long and narrow, high over
tie ears wanting in the upper forehead, noticeaby den
ci,nt behind, and full about the OUTSTANDING car ~
besns IN be bald In front His face u thn ansu .hu %
0esoas hgb and narrow in the forehead full over tho
| cyesand hollow in the cheeks with uPfsd eyebrows
| small and sharp nose and keen brown, foreign eyes
The man attracts In spite OF himself heeung MIN
cars,ca,s on The street one would get him down
tinker of watches and clocks@a fpan M.no1. nonS, S
capacity but Of Moroove, csh 'aa n'
his ant manner and some OF his pecuhariucs OF &C
tion amoig the engravers employed mere seeing ms
| pecuar eye nj a moment when he would naturally be
/ Stirred by some feeling and you would say he wor
shipped the violin and IN the orchestra OF theatre
where he played with passionate sell apsorpuon whlo
there a nothing pleasant agreeable about the man
seems impossible iha, he could Of his own choice, int
tae the system cruelty he so long and SO mercilcssy
pgrsS maeScoa ssshe about him. and he might be
| great rascal OF choice; but he did, would
| be in low and sneaking style The in,amy
| like a man without conscience and uDtroubcd with
| remorsc. Given or two conditions and he would
shoot man with as little feeling as dog doubt not
he was ambitious Of the good will and the Fellowship o.
the winders-father, son aud nephcw-wno were nm
superors. at the post. They are Of the class called
thought Il an honor to associate with such fellows They
taught him that devilshnese would be MS pest recon-
mendAton He had no scruples 70 overeoms-ne cou'd
be cruel a. easily AZ "a he could be humane To be
man would not payo nend Of he'll would pay libe.
rally II would pay in the cognomen good fellow,
from such a. wnder IN promised promouon 10 nc
even AZ Richmond SO he chose 70 make himself an m
carnat,on OF cruelty disdan murder he had no spec
love for tho so.caed confederaoy There ~ no'n'nS
about him 20 show that be loved murdV some Wer
have He was simply the ready, supple, coarse W."
scencebess tool Of slavery. .a