The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-09-08
The Wirz Trial-Letter from the Pris
Oner.

Oner.
Wirz hes lately written two letters
One to Judge Advocate Cbipman, urging
that Messra. Schade and Baker be allowed
to re appear as his counsel, they consent
ing TO act again in his behalf the olhe,
20 the New York NesgS, asking lis aid tc
enable him to carry on the defence. l
is as follows;
OLD CAPITOL PRIsoN, J
WAsulSGToS CITY, d. c., Aug. 27, '65. {
TO tie Editors Of tie Nee0 YorA Neps
Although perfect stranger to you,
take, in my unfortunate and helpless con
ditlon, the liberty to address you this let
ter, knowing that as a friend to the down
trodden South you cannot but have some
sympathy tor man who, as he believes
is innocently about to be sacrifced-a
sympathy which, hope. will prompt you
to interest yourself in his behalf
q am native OF Switzerland, and
having for years before the war been a
resident of Louisiana, could not do other.
wise than take up arms to defend the state
and country Of my adoption when it was
invaded. | Joined the confederate army
in 1861, and served faithfully the cause |
considered to be rightful ore. In 1862
the United States troops destroyed my
home, and my wife and three children had
to seek shelter among friends. lost all
possessed but a few negroes, who still
remained faithful. | was ordered to re-
port to the military prison at Anderson
vile, Georgia. BY this officer | was put
in command Of the prison, and remained
in that position from April, 1861, until
1865. When the South ceased the strug-
gle, was still in Andersonville with my
family, believing myself fully protected by
the terms of the agreement between Cen
erals Sherman and Johnston, and never
dreaming that |, poor captain and sub
atrern officer, would be made to answer
with my life, for what is now alleged to
have neen done in Anders0pville. | was,
in violation of safe conduct which was
given me by a staff officer Of General
Wilson, arrested ia Macon. Georgia; was
kept there in confinement for two weeks,
and then sent on to Washington, and am
now, by order of the President Of the Un-
tied States, brought before a court to be
tried under the most atrocious charges.
| have no friends here. | am helpless
and unless | can can get help, will have
to lose the last things which | possess in
this world--my good name and my life.
Ny conscience is clear. | have never
dealt cruelty with prisoner under my
charge. II they suffered for want Of shelf
er, food clothing and necessaries, could
not bel p it-haying no control over these
thines-t things which the Confederate
Government could give only in very lin
tied quantity, even to our own men, as
everybody knows WHO will be just and
impartial. My legal advisers (Messrs.
Schade and Baker,, seeing my helpless
ness, have undertaken to conduct my de-
fence. They both are doing it from gen
erosity and compassion, knowing full well
that have not means 10 renumerate
them for their trouble. But | cannot ex-
pect them to furnish the means which it
absolutely requires in the conducting Of
cause of such importance. Copies Of
depositions have to be made, messengers
have to be sent hele and there to get up
testimony; and how can this be done
without money have noue to give !;
and no doubt nv case will be-mv life
sacriticed-for want Of the money 70 de-
fray the expenses of such trial. But my
counsel believe, from the evidence already
in their possession, that, if the necessary
means can be obtained, my acquittal must
be The result. In this condition I take
the liberty to appeal to you to assist me,
and not let me be the victim Of injustice.
''Iour influence is such that it will rot
require very great efforts to collect the
necessary means for vigorus carrying on
Of the defence. | am, myself, without
clothes, without any means to alleviate
the hardships Of a close confinement. My
health is bad, and the prison fare is not
calculated to benefit sick, or, at least, &
suffering man. Still these things l have
borne without murmur, and hope, with
the help Of God, 20 bear yet for while
longer.
"Uop;rg that this petition will receive
favorable reception on your part, anC
assuring you again that nothing but tht
direst necessity could induce me 20 ad
dress you, remain, sir, with the creates
respect, your obelient servant,
II. WIRz,
Late Captain and 4. A. g., G. S. a.