The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-24
A Petition for JEFF Davis
A Supposed AcGOmpliee Of
Booth Arrested.
GOLD LAST NIGHT t4S "a
Associated Press Report.
1.-THE WIRZ TEAL.
WAsHNaroN, August %.

....r WAshlNdIOhy AuSusb EO-
The Wirz Military Commission met
this morning at IL o'clock in the Court of
Claims at the Capitol.
= Judge Hughes, counsel for the accused,
said that IS the prisoner should be brought
into court, he would submit motion.
Msi Gen. Wallace remarked that time
enough will be given for thst purpose.
Judge Hughes-I will present it at the
earliest moment.
The prisoner was at This stage of the
proceedings brought into court in custody
of military guard.
Judge Advocate Chapman called the
roll of members, all of whom answered to
their names. He then read an order from
the War Department, dated 22i of Au.
gust, in substance that the Military Com
mission which was to convene on the 20th
inst, is, by order Of the President of the
United States, dissolved, and then read an
other order, dated yesterday, causing a
special Commission to assemble to-day at
II o'clock for the trial of Henry Wirz,
and such other prisoners as may be brought
before it, the detail of officers being the
same as that OF the previous Commission.
Msjor A A. Hosmer, has, on application
of Col. Chapman to proper authorities,
been appointed Assistant Judge Advocate.
Judge Advocate Chapman, asked pri.
soner, whether he had any objection to
members of Court.
Mr.. Peck, of Counsel, said that there
was none personally to members.
Tho Judge Advocate and official re-
porters were then sworn, promising impair
tisl performance of their duty, and that
they would not improperly reveal pro-
ceedings and sentence.
Judge Advocate Chipman, addressing
prisoner-You are charged under the
name of Henry Wirz, is that your real
nsme2
Prisoner said it was.
Judge Advocate Chipman-Ch Charges and
specifications will now be read.
Msior General Wallace, President of the
Court-Let the prisoner stand up.
Captain Wirz rose to his feet, when the
charges and specifications were read. They
are substantially the same as those upon
which he was arrsigned on Wednesday.
he is first charged with maliciously, vii
fully and traitoreusly, and in aid of the
then existing armed confederscy and
rebellion against the United States of
Amarica. on or before the lat day of
| March, 1864, and on divers other days be.
tween that day and the 10Th day Of April,
1855, combining and conspirirg with Jonn
H. Winder, r. B. Winder, j. White, w.
s. Winder, B r. Stevenson, and others
unknown, to injure the health and destroy
| the lives of soldiers in the military service
| of the United States, then held and being
prisoners of war within the lines of the So
| called Confederate States, and in the mill
tarv prisons thereof, to the end that the
armies eff the United States might be
weakened and impaired, in violstion of the
laws and customs of war.
The above differs from theformer acting
| in this, Esmely: that the names of Robt. Z.
Lee, J, &. Seldom and LucIus d. Northrop,
| are now omitted. The otner charge is
that of murder, produced by heartless,
brutal and cruel treatment. Specifca-
tsons are fourteen in number.
Judge Advocate Chipmsn asked prison.
ar, what answer he had to make to
the seeharges2
Prisoner gave no reply.
Judge Hughes of Counsel said that
these new charges and! specifications or
fact, that R1y amendments or changes
had been made in those heretofore pre-
sented, reached him for the first time.
Counsel had received an official note.
This note was from the Judge Advocate,
which he would read, accompanied BY q
copy, as he supposed OF these charges.
This was read 81 eight O'Clock, or little
sooner, this morning, addressed to firm
Of which he was q member, viz: Hugh,
Denny s. Peck, date: 23d August, 1866
The note from Judge Advocate Chap.
man is in substance briefly ss follows:
"IenclOse q copy of the charges and
specifications With such charges as may be
presented tomorrow. 1t is proper to say
now what could not be said soon, namely (:
the Court will assemble tomorrow at
eleven o'clock, in the Court of Claims
rooms, and I will proceed without delay