The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-05-26

with manifest Impotence to the occa-
sionally interposed objections Of the
prisoners counsel, and invariably
oyerrules thcm as quickly and grufly
as he would order a battery forward
in the crisis of losing battle. On
the right Of the president sits Gen.
Lew Wallace, who earned much fame
10y his preparations for the defence of
Cincinnati in 1862, and who COM
mandod the Union forces which fell
back from the Monocacy on the occa-
sion Of Early's advance in 1864 He
is rather handsome man, with regu-
lar features, dark complexion, piercing
black eyes, and a huge moustache ana
imperial cut in the Napolconic fashion.
The other officers forming the
board do not call for special personal
descriptions Most of them have
made their mark in the war as gallant
fighters and leaders. Near the foot
Of the table sits 'Judge-Advocate-Gen-
oral Iolt, in citizens dress, Of course.
His strongly marked features and VEN
cradle yet vigorous expression are
known throughout the land from in
Vulnerable photographs He conducts
MI the examinations in chief, referring
to yoluminous notes taken ut the pre-
immary Investigations Of the past four
weeks
Between and around these principal
tables are other smaller ones, covered
like these with law books, documents
and stationery, and used by the coun-
sci for the prisoners and 10y other per-
SONS having business in the court
room. One Of them near the entrance
is the station OF Gen Hartrauft, strik-
ingly handsome soldierly-looking gem
tleman who won his double stars by
the promptnoss and dash with which
he brought his brigade up to tho res
cue when the rebels broke through
our lines at Fort Steadman. He is as
signed to special duty as provost-mar-
shall for This trial and finds himself
constantly busy in experimenting the
minor details Of the proceedings. the
guard Of the prisoners, etc.
Spectators here are not plenty
There arc perhaps half dozen officers
on duty, and one OF two orderhes in
waiting at the door The witnesses
are kept in an adjoining room until
their turn comes to testify A few
distinguished civilians, including Sen
atog Wilson Of Mass. and Gen.
{ Marston OF New Hampshire, have
been admitted this afternoon and have
watched the progress Of the trial with
inaeh'interest
Exactly in the centre Of the room,
between the two long tables and fac
ing that occupied by the court, is the
platform occupied by the testifymg
, witness. 1t is raised about a foot
from the floor and furnished with a
, common armchair and plain railing
, The four windows of the room are
! all heavily grated, and one of the
doors, that which leads to the cells oil
the accused, is thickly studded with
bolts, and has an exceedingly massive
and dungeon-ike appearance.
The counsel for the prisoners arc
not men OF much rank in their pro
fession or OF noteworthy persona
presence a single exception to this
remark is, of course, foundin Hon. Re
verdy Johnson. senior counsel for Mrs
! Surratt. The Maryland senator seems
more than any Of his colleagues t,
= chnfe at the arbitrary rulings OF Oh,
!. court, and often has bard work t,
I keep his temper He invariably sue
ceeds, however, and never loses III,
demeanor Of gentleman He find
the long examination OF some OF th'
witnesses rather tiresome, and walk
impatiently up and down the cour
room, his figure always erect an'
,. dignifed, and his face, though sad,
disfgured by an old accident, is still
both handsome and venerable.
But all these minor details are posse'
:, over very cursorily by the visitor, an
/ til he has satisfied his curiosity by
! careful inspection Of the prisoners
!, dock and its inmates, the accompIce
of John Wilkes Booth, Jefferson Dayi
:, and George Sanders, in the murder q
" President Lincoln. A raised bencl
extends across one end OF the room
:. and is fenced in by a painted railing
Inside this fence and chained to thi
: bench, their feet and hands heayii
manacled, sit the seven male prison
ers. senarated from each other by 81
- corporals Of the Veteran Resery
" Corps. thus sandwiched by the neces