Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-10-02
&c.. &c. &C.. dc.


WAsHIsGroN. Sept. 80 The Wirz Commission
resssembied to-day Capt. Wright, Ex-Qusrler-
m ster AZ Andersonvile was recalled Tor the de-
fense De testified that he succeeded y Windor
At that pOsost; tue tents of bis regiment were
takeu for the use OF the hospital; Ae sought but
tailed in his endeavors TO secure more for that
purpose; as to lumber be was equally unsuecess-
fal as the owners had not been paid for lha,
previously furnished; and Injunction was served
upon him and others To prevent them from cut
ting timber; he bad never seen Wiz search prs-
oners.
Mr. Baker-Dii you hear Capt Wirx CEN
plain OF the bad condition OF affairs
Judge Advocate Chapman objected to tbs dc
claratiOn OF the pTisoner tr
Mr. Baker said he did not ask for Wirz' de-
claratiOn but his acts
Col. Chapman remarked that MI Baker asked
about complaints.
Mr. Baker said il was customary according 70
the rules OF law TO show the kindly disposition OF
the accused in order reiute the allegations that
he wIlfully and malicionsy murdered or NAL
treated the prisoners.
The Court remarked thst they had over and
over again overrued such questions
- Mr. Baker said be designed to show that Capt
Wirz accompanied his complaints by acts to
ameliorate the condition Of the prisoners
Mr.. Baker then Withdrew il and prepared ar
other. ziz: DO you know Of any acts the
part OF Captain WiTz 10 amelIOrate the condition
Of the prisonersf"
The witness replied that he could not think of
any; be never heard that any soldier received .
iuriough tor shooting Union soldiers; he had
frequently carried vegetables into the stecksds
Tor she relief OF the prisoners, after showing
Captain wirz what he had for them; Wirz per-
mtIed Masonic hoDors TO be paid to deceased
prisoneis Lieutenant Davis was in charge when
Captain Wirz sick
Cross-examined by Colonel Chapm,n-Ths
witness had no personal knowledge OF what
Captain WIZ done in the stockade, but outside
OF it he knew the accused put prisoners in the
stocks and chain gang; Turner, who had charge
of the dogs, told the witness Captain Wirz had
promised him $50 apiece for capturing pris-
oners, but witness refused to pay him, not be
lieving him to be entitled to the money
Judge Hall, Of Georgis, who testified Tor the
prosecution, was called witness for the defense
He said be was employed by man named Dykes
against Colonel Gibbs and Captain Wright to buy
ground for burial purposes and TO timber on il
DYKES subsequently withdrew mis- bill voluntarily =,
when the witness used his influence To hsvs
Dykes paid by the Confederate government for
any loss be might have sustained the witness de-
scrioed the land IN the vicinity OF Anderson
vile a. poor pine, barren. its chief valae con
sisted in tue timber hich could be sold to the j.
road Company for fuel or cross lies. Ciplain
WIrz haa appiied 10 the witness 10 prosecuta ONE
men who had been appropriating PROVISIONS and
things Of thut sort, belonging T. prisoners he
took out search warrant 10 fnd stolen property, ,
but thought the process ~as unsuccessful in
August, 1864, ne saw Captain WIZ whose Ap
pearance that of mau jnst recovered from
a spell of sickness I; he vas feeble and emacilteI !;
dogs are used IN Georgia for tracking ieluus
- ltu nj IL
laws of that State nobody could be pursued by
vicious and savage dogs.
Colonel Chapman objected to the witness pro-
ceedlng Further on that point, ss the subsequent
question asked was irrevelant. He regarded a.
unjust to soldiers who had periled their lives
for the country, that they should be put upon the
ground of and pursued, common felons.
Mr. Baker said the Use of hounds was FIRST
authorized and made legal by the laws OF the
United States. The Commanding General was
authorized 10 track human beings With dogs
Major General Thomas said he knew all about
that
The Court said: Mr. Baker, you mean Florida
Mr. Baker said he did. and that be might fol-
low Up the question TO show that the people OF
the South were bound by law TO do Whatever
WAS c. nm tnded by the superior military off GERS
The Court having vO;ed against tue objection
"a sed 0y the Judge Advocate The witness n the
course OF ms iurther examination said by the
laws Of Georgia IL was made capital felony to
harbor or entertain Federal prisoners
Cross examined by Cot. Chapman-Witaess
said his sy mpathies had been vito the rebellion
be was a secessi0nist aud remained as such until
the close OF the rebellion; he was active aud did
all hs could for it; he had not been acting az
counsel for the accused; he had, however been
asked quest.ors about the law and answered
them and had been in Mr.. Bakers fice several
times; he went WITH him to the library OF the Ss
preme Court and pointed out the decision oi
Judge Lumpkn.
Mr. Baker objected to these questions, saving
they did net touch anything which had been done
in the direct examination. Although witnesses
for the prosecution were open to reflection be
called the Court 10 witness be had not reflect Cd
upon them
Examined by Mr. Raksr-Witress had not
acted a. counsel or adviser for Capt Wirz, nor
bad he advised how the defense ought TO be
shaped; be did not intimate any thing about the
defense any more than in bis conversation as q
witness
Wm. Hammock. of the Confederate army,
testified ne never saw any OF his men shoot the
Federal prisoners, but he had seen them altar
they were shot; Captain Wirz never 10 bis
kBOwedge promised furlou IN for shoo;iug z
prisoners. the orders were the squads not
being able 10 account tor their men, thew should
be deprived OF their rstions; 10 orders we're
issued to take from Stoneman's raiders ANYTHING
more than money. kniies and forks, and such a
other articles as they stole from the residents OF
the connuy through which they passed; the
Confederate soldiers were punished Just the same
IS Union prisoners
o. u. 4 l.