Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-01
WARRINGTON, Aug. 23.

] bopAItmtht uAted yesterday ulsOlNlng the
former commission, but appointing another
consisting Of the same members. These were
again sworn to-day and Wirz again srraigned,
when the charge and specifications were read
They are substantially the same as those
heretofore presented the alterations include
the striking out OF the names Of Lee, Seddon
and Northrup.
The charge Of murder is retained. The
specifications include the most cruel punish
ments and acts Of bsrbarity. Judge Hughes
spoke on these proceedings Of arraigning the
prisoner on new set of charges, etc., without,
giviving counsel due notice as extraordinary
and asked that additional time be given to
enable the prisoner to prepare for his defense.
This was granted and the court adjourned
until tomorrow noon. The counsel for Wirz
have retired, ooncurring that they have done
all they could for him under the circumstan-
ces.
WAsHINoToN, Aug. "a
The Wirz commission assembled this
morning.
Mr.. Schade stated that as his associates for
the defense had retired ne was alone to man
age the case. He therefore asked that there
be postponemeni for eight days. in order
that he might become better acquainted with
the subject and prepare for the defense.
Col. Chapman stated the reasons why there
should be no further postponement, remark
ing that the gentleman has already been fully
informed Of the theory Of the prosecution.-
The court overruled the request for postpone
ment. o. s. Baker volunteered for the de-
fense and therefore associated with Mr..
Schade.
The prisoner put in several pleas why he
should not be tried, denying the jurisdiction
Of the court, and insisting that the charges
ought to be qua.hed
The court overruled the pleas of the coun-
sci for the prisoner and proceeded to the
trial.
Among the witnesses examined was Col.
Gibbs, who commanded the post at Ander-
sonvile He said WIrz had exclusive con-
trail Of the prisoners. The prisoners we're
crowded so close as to remind him of an ant
hill. He gave a circumstantial account Of
the discipline and the disgusting coadition
of the prison, and remarked that one Of tie
rules was that whoever crossed the dead line
should be shot.
DR.. John G. Bates, ex-rebel, who was ply
sician at the prison, (another witness) gave
a long and interesting account Of that place
and the shameful treatment to which the
prisoners were subjected, stating, as his
opinion, that with proper care the lives of rs
per cent. of those who died might have been
saved.
Both these interesting witnesses testified
as to the keeping of dogs as prison instru-
ments.
The examination Of DR.. Bates was resumed
before the Wirz trial this morning. 1t was
with reference to the condition Of the priso-
ners at Andersonville.
According to his narration the scurvy was
next to rottenness, with which many Of the
men suffered. many starved to death because
of the paucity and whoesomeness of the ra-
tons and in consequence of gsngrene there
were frequent amputations aud re-amputations
of limbs.
The commission then took recess until
P. M.
WAsHINGToN, Aug. IS.
DIR. A. w. Barrows testified to having been
sent prisoner to Andersonvile, detailed as
surgeon in prison, but after being there six
months escaped. He gave interesting state
ments Of how Union prisoners who had at
tempted to make their escape we're punished
with stacks or chah-gang. He testified as
to the insufficiency and unwholesome charact-
er of the rations, and the absence of medical
supplies, and gave a sickening account of
cruelties to prisoners. Bloodhounds we're
actually employed to capture escaping pris-
oners. Among other things, he said, the
men were ysccinated with impure matter,
from the effects of which many died. When
prisoners we're being removed to Anderson
vile one of the Union prisoners fell back,
when Wirtz knocked him down and jumped
on MIN.
NEW YORK, Aug. rs.
The Herald's special Washington dspatsh
says Capt. James Moore returned from his
Andersonvile mission yesterday. The Ex-
petition was undertaken by direction of the
the Secretary of war for the purpose OF iden-
tifying and making the graves OF Union Sol
iiers who have died in the vile pen at Ander-
'onvile and it has been gratifying success. !
Twelve thousand five hundred graves were
located and marked by neat head bords in
'cribed with the name. regiment and date OF
ieath Of our heroes. Five hundred only be-
ng marked "Union Soldiers unknown |
Fifty acres we're enclosed by an appropriate
ence and several steps taken in the adorn-
nent of the Forrest Cemetery that is enclos- |
I'd. The work was completed on the 10th
nst., and the resting place of the brave dead
nformily dedicated by raising the Stars and |
tripes upon flag staff erected within the |
enclosure. A guard has been stationed at
he Cemetery. Mr.. Griffin, an unmistakable /
Union man of the ighborhood has been ap-
pointed superintendent.
Gov. Sharkey has sent to the Convention /
n Mississippi telegraph dispatch which he
lad received from President Johnson con-
,ratulating the Convention on the progress |
hey we're making to tle admission OF Miss
ssippi into the Union and expressing an earn
st hope that all obsticles to such rs-admis-
ion would soon be removed The President
Ilsu says in this dispatch that he will restore
he writ Of hd6eds corpus and remove the !
roops from the State at the earliest moment,
' hen the State shall make sufficient piogress
Is TO have entirely returned to her allegiance.
lie hopes in Convention that the example OF
will be followedby other South |
I'm States. Judge +. s. Fisher was nomiua- /
ed for Governor and the Convention adjourn
d since
The herald's special dispatch says Judge |
jochrane and other Georgians represent the /
work OF reconstruction in Georgia as pro-
.a.. -. Il