The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-17
IERMS-IN ADTANCE
The Execution OF Ca pta in IVirz. of the
Confederate States ARMY.

Probably such scenes as occurred at
the hanging of this unfortunate officer
at the Capitol of the United States, on
Friday last, were never before wit
messed in this country. They were,
however, strictly in keeping with what
had occurred during the progress of
the trial. The prisoner himself ex-
hlblted remarkable GOODNESS and
nerve. Previous to being led to
execution he disposed of some small
effects, and wrote his name in the a71-
tograph book Of the jailor's clerk.
The Washington papers give the fol-
lowing account
The morning was L1ight with sun
shine when the guards we're paraded
IN the prlson-yard of the Old Capitol.
and those who had been allowed passes
began to assemble to witness the exc
cntion of the penalty of the law upon
the Andersonville murderer.
Long before the hour of execution
every available point of observation
was occupied by spectators, whose
lrrepressible curiosity led them to
climb the trees, fences, and the roofs
adjacent, wherever there was a chance
to see or hear the proceedings inside
the prison yard. The trees on the
eastern park of the Capitol grounds
were filled with soldiers, and many of
the ''boys in blue" occupied the roofs
around the enclosure. The guards in
the PRISON yard We're drawn up in a
khollow square around the scaffold. and
bout one hundred spectators. in
Iudlng members of the press, were
Gathered in groups in the area.
Gardner, the photographer, was on
hand with his apparatus, and several
views were taken during the proceed
lngs. At thirteen minutes past 10
clock, the prisoner was led forth.
accompanied by Fathers Boyle and
Weichert, one on either side. He
walked erect, and with a firm step.
He was dressed in long, loose robe
OF black cambric, and his head was
bare. His right arm was suspended
III sling, and some present, who had
seen the condition of that limb.
thought it would be impossible for
hlm to have it pinioned down behind
hlm III the usual manner.
Wirz mounted the scaffold with a.
firm step and sat in a chair. his
spiritual advisers standing on his right
and left
MAJOR Russell, Provost Marshal.
read to the prisoner the charges and
specification on which he was tried.
and the findings of the court.
When the reading was concluded,
Nlrz stood up and was asked by Major
hussen II he desired to say anything
before the sentence was executed
He replied that he had nothing to
say to the public He continued to
converse with the reverend fathers
IN attendance, while his arms were
beng pinioned behind him.
At this time he stood quite erect,
and his countenance wore pleasant
expression. He was apparently more
animated than he had appeared at any
time IN the court during his trial.
He said to the priests that he was
Wiling to die like man and Chris
tian.
During this time the soldiers moclzcd
hlm with cries of "You'll never starve
any more Union prisoners !! Ere
member Andersonvillen' anderson
vile = "Andcrsonville " "Andcr-
sonvillen'
While the knot was being adjusted
he Kept on speaking to the attending
priests, turning his head to each with
out any display Of trepidation or re,
straint; The cry of the Nemesis
seemed to reach him not.
After all was ready, the reverend
fathers shook hands with him, and