Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-11-15
THE EXECUTION oP WIRz.

4 .s 1HS SASCutiuu oi4rAiShis ''uL dtti aSlCN
crowds of spectators to the Old Capitol on
Friday morning, November 10th. AT 9 O.
clock a strong military force arrived, and
the streets in front and at the side of the
building was cleared Ownersof tenements,
from the roofs or windows of which views of
the galiows could be had, admitted specta-
tors at large prices and quite number of
women availed themselves of this opportu
nifty to crafty their curiosity. Holders OF
tickets were admitted into the prison, through
which they passed into the yard. A rough
gallows had been erected in one corner of
the yard, on the platform of which stood
| four sentries of the Veteran Reserve Corps,
while from the beam dangled the fatal rope
which was to prove dead line" to the ty-
rant of Andersonville.
Wirz was in his CELL attended by Fathers
Boyle and Wiggott, of the Roman Catholic
thurch. On Thursday night he ate hear
ty oyster supper, and then went to sleep at
10 o clock, reposing quietly until he awoke
at three o'clock on Friday morning. He
then wrote his farewell to his wife, and
made some statements about his connection
with the rebellion, avowing that he had NAL
| treated prisoners in accordance with orders
from superior officers, but solemaly asserted
that he had never killed any one, or perpe-
trated the cruel acts aScrbed to him. At
ter the sentence was read to him in prison,
Wirz said m id if the Yankee eagle
has not turned out to be what | expected
id turkey buzzard. He then desired
that Father Boyle, and his counsel Mr.
| Schade, be sent for, who had long conver
satIon with him.
During the morning Father Boyle admin
istered the sacrament to Wirz, and Father
Wiggett then placed upon the prisoner
black cambric robe, remarking as he did so,
Il hope the robe will be turned into white
one in The other world Wirz, it is said,
was an inidel, but Of late professed repen-
tence, and one of his religious advisers is of
the opinion that he was sincere, and that he
truly repented. Just before the appointed
hour for execution, young Massachusetts,
official at the prison handed Wirz an auto
graph album, in which he wrote, in clear,
steady hand odd Capitol prison, Noyem-
Der 10th, 1865, Henry Wirz, Capt. and A.
A. e., c. S. A" There, SAID he, lis
my last signature. >
At 10: 20 the prisoner accompanied by
Provost Marshal Russell and other officers,
and Fathers Boyle and Wiggett came from
the cell and passed between the line of
guards to the scafFold, where the prisoner
was seated. Amid profound silence Provost
Maashal Russell proceeded to read the order
of the War Department founded on the
verdict of the Military Commission which
tried the prisoner. He was charged and
convicted
| ''Of combining, confed erating and con-
spring with Jefferson Davis, james \. Sed-
don, Howell Cobb, John H. Winder, Rich
ard b. Winder, Isaiah Ii. White, w S.
| Winder. w. Shelby Reed, r. r. Steven
ard at Andersonyille, james Duncan, Wes-
ley Warner, Benjamin Harris and others
whose names are unknown, and who were
then engaged in arWed rebellion against
the United States, maliciously, traitorious-
| ly and In violation of the laws of war. to i'm
pair, injure or destroy the lives by subject
ing TO great torture and great suffering, by
contining in unhealthy and unwhoesome
quarters. by exposing to the inclemency of
winter, and to the dews and burning sun of
summer, 10y compelling the use of impure
water and by furnishing insufficient and un-
wholesome food, a large number of Federal
prisoners. to wit: The number of about
| 45, 600, beld as prisoners of war at Ander
sonville, within the walls of the so-called
Confederate States, on or before 9th of
March, 1861, and at divers times between
that day and the l0th day Of April, 1865, to
the end that the armies of the United States
might be weakened and impaired, and that
the insurgents engaged in rebellion against
the United States might be aided and COM
forted
.Senteace-And the Court do therefore
sentence him Henry Wrz) to be hanged
by the neck till he be dead. at such time
and place as the President of the United
States may direct, two-thirds of the mem
hers of the court concurring herein and
the court also find the prisoner, Henry Wirz,
guilty OF having caused the death, in the
manner alleged in specifications | / to charge
2 by means OF dogs. of three prisoners of
war in his custody, and soldiers of the Uni
ted States-one occurring on or about the
18th day of May. 1864 another occurring
on or about the lth day of July, 1864 but
which finding, as here expressed, has not
and did not enter into the sentence of the
conrt as before given"
The proceedings, finding and sentence of
the court We're approved by the proper au-
thorities, and Friday, Nov 10th, designed
as the day of execution.
After the reading of the order vas conclu-
ded, Wirz eonyersed with those on the plat
form with seeming calmness and lf-posses-
cicn ond n L.