The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-11-17
WirZ I'yrcu'ed.

WASHINGTON, November 10.-The
execution of Henry Wirz, which took
place at half past ten o'clock this
forenoon, passed very little exciting
interest, and was preceded 10y no
remarkable incidents. The prisoner
spent most OF the night in slumber,
first receiving his spiritual advisor
at six o'clock this morning. After
partaking of slight meal, he spent
most of the morning writing letters.
The last one he wrote was to his
counsel, thanking him for his kind
ness, and begging him to do all he
could for his family. lie also wrote
his autograph for curiosity seeker,
adding to it his rank in the rebel
army. He had brief interview
with Captain Winder, confined in the
same prison, and who is the son of
the rebel General Winder, who had
charge of the rebel prisons.
AT Il few minutes after ten o clock,
accompanied by two priests and q
guard Of soldiers, the prisoner ap-
Feared in the prison yard, dressed
IN shroud of glazed black cotton
His step was firm, his face bright,
with slight smile upon it, and he
seemed to retain tull self.possession,
as he conversed in n subdued tone
with his religious counselors. His
wounded arm was doubled up at his
side, III sling. He walked up the
scaiiold with an erect step, and took
his position on the trap door. In
looking at his black robe. he said to
father Boyle that it would soon be a
white one.
1t took some fifteen minutes to
pinion his arms, during all of which
time he remained very calm. He
stated to Major Russell, the Pro, ost
Marshal, that he did not desire to
make any public remarks. The Ma.
jor commlserated his situation, and
said he was only obeying orders in
executing him. Wirz replied that he
was only obeying orders; that he, too,
was q soldier, and was about to he
hung for obeying orders, To his
spiritual advisers, who asked him for
Il confession, he repeatedly replied
that he had none to make; that he
died an innocent death.
Maj, Russell then read the charges
and specifications on which lie was
convicted, and the approval Of the
sentence by the President. During
one portion of their reading, Wirz
shook his head, and smiled. AS
things were finished, the black cap
was drawn over his face, and mill.
tary detective drew the bolt to the
trap door, which fell, leaving Wirz
dangling in the air. His neck was
broken by the fall, though he writhed
and drew himself several minutes.
In twenty minutes we was cut down
and placed in the prison hospital,
where the usual medical examination
took place. The only dcmonstra-
ton made was that of an exultant
shout from the crowd on the house
tops. outside Jf the prison walls.
Wirz's counsel were with the Pres
ident endeavoring to secure his re.
prieve. even, in point of time, after he
was hung. The President, however,
deemed the ground presented insult.
fcient, and the counsel left the White
House to be greeted on the street
with the news OF the execution.
1t has been asserted to-day that
during Wirz's Imprisonment an at
tempt was made by his wife to poison
him. During her last interview she
kissed him as usual when they part.
ed, and at the same time deposited
In his mouth very small vial con-
taining arsenic. This was quickly
detected by General Baker, who was
present, and he seized Wirz by the
throat, compelling him to spit out
the article. 1t was kept secret at
the time in order to find out who
furnished Wirz's wife the poison.-I
The authorities thought that somel
prominent friends of JEFF Davis here,