Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-09-29
Wirz Trial.

took place. The witness on the stand
) an Indiana cavalry man named Georg'
W. Gray, bad been testifying to some o
the outrages on the part of Wirz tina
had not been put in evidence before. -
He said that a party Of prisoners in who's,
company he arrived at Andersonvill,
were ordered to place their blankets
haversacks, &c, in one place, when ar
officer mounted on a gray horse rode up
and told the Confederate soldiers to heir
themselves and let the prisoners have the
remainder. The Confederates helped
themselves, and there was nothing left
He was not certain whether the mounted
officer was Capt. Wirz or not.
In June or July, 1864, the witness
and young fellow named Underwood
of the l7th Indiana Cavalry (his own
regiment,) went to the Suffers TENT
Wirz was there. Underwood asked for
something to rub his wound with, and
the suIler said he would give it, when
Wirz said, mo, he cabnot have it unless
he pays me dollar" Underwood gave
Wirz his only money, which was ten
dollar bill, and when he asked for his
change Wirz kicked him out ofihe door.
Witness was put in the stocks four days
for attempting to escape. He knew a
man to die in the stocks in August or
September. 1864. Negroes took him
out of the stocks after be was dead, threw
the body into wagon and hauled it off
He knew Wirz to shoot young fellow
named William Stewart, belonging to the
9th Minnesota Infantry. lie and wit
ness had gone ont of The stockade with
dead body which they had begged, when
they met Capt. Wirz. He rode up TO
them after they had left the body in the
dead house, and asked them by what au-
thority they were out there. Stewart re-
piled that they were there by proper
authority. Wirz said no more, but drew
his revolver and shot him. After he was
killed The guards took from his body $40
or $50. Wirz took the money from the
guards and rode of, telling them to carry
witness to prison. 1t was witness de-
termination to escape, il he could, and for
that reason be bad gone out, but he was
not attempting to do so at the time
When prisoners were being removed to
the cars for exchange, Wirz gave orders
to Lieut.. Davis TO bayonet any man who
laid down on the road, and witness had
seen men who were crawling on their
hands and knees 20 the cars bayoneted
by the guards. Witness heard one of
the Surgeons ask Wirz when he was 60
ing to remove the Yankees, and Wirz's
reply was: "D-n these Yankees
they will all be dead in few days, any
how" He had seen a prisoner who had
been caught by dogs, with part of his
cheek torn off, and his arms, hands and
legs gnawed up so that he only lived
twenty-four hours. The first time he
had known Wirz personally. was one
day when he heard Lieut.. Davis call his
name at the gate.
Judge Advocate Chapman Capt. Wirz,
will you be good enough TO stand up?
The prisoner, who had been lying all
day on lounge, squirmed round, partly
raising himself till his eyes lit up with
wild, haggard expression, and yet daring
and defiant, like those of wild animal
brought to bay.
Col. Chapman to witness-Do you re-
cognize that man as the man who shot
your comrades ?
Witness (-lowly and emphatically )-I
That is the man.
The prisoner here made an effort to
contradict the witness, muttering some
incoherent expressions about not having
been seen by witness with Lieut.. Davis.
He was with difficulty restrained and
silenced by the officer in charge.
The Judge Advocate, apparently not
satisfied with the opportunity which wit
ness bad for Identification, asked the
prisoner TO rise. Gathering up as we'll
as he could his loose, i'll jointed frame,
which appeared as if it might fall to pieces.
the prisoner tottered to his feet and was
supported 10 that attitude by the officer
Of the guard. His eyes had wild ex-
preston, and it was hard to repress sym i
paihy with the unfortunate man.
Again the Judge Advocate repeated
his question TO the witness, whose reply |
his time was more hesitating, and was,
II think that is the man." Another wild |
and fruitless attempt at contradiction was
made by Wirz, when he was partly drawn
and partly sank on the lounge, where, by |
order of Gen. Wallace, he was furnished
with cold water and famed by the Off
,er. The Court thereupon adjourned,