Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-29
THE wlRZ TRIAL.
oorr1NuArroN on rnr rEsrIMONY.
WAsHINoroN. sept.


names Of several witnesses whom he asked
might be called for. One of them. he said,
would testify in relation to the scarcity OF
provisions IN the South, as connected with
the Andersonville department, and another in
regard to the imposslbilty OF Obtaining medi-
cines even for the Confederate service. Mr..
Baker asked that subepnss be sent to these
and other witnesses, heretofore named, by
special messengers. Some Of them, perhaps
could be reached by mail.
judge Advocate Chapman said one messen-
ger could not reach these witnesses in six
weeks to serve subpenas. He thereforesug-
gested that kilograms be sent to the nearest
military posts to summon the witnesses. -
This would save large amount of time and
be equally as eficacous as dispatching spec
iAi messenger.
Mr.. Baker said he had been informed that
the railroads were now in such condition that
the heart of Georgia could be reached in three
days.
The court decided in secret delbetation
that the Judge Advocate issue subj @nas, for
the persons named, to the commandants of
Southern Departments.
The examination Of witnesses was then
resumed.
W. I. Davenport, residing at Americas,
Ga, testified that he was agent for four coun-
ties, aud that in the year 1854 he received as
fittings 2f7,76s pounds Of bacon, $4,000
bushels of corn, 1867 bushels Of wheat, 1920
pounds of rough rice, sl7 bushels Of peas.
300 gallons OF sorghum, and l66 pounds of
sugar.
From the lst of January to the 18th Of
April he received from the same counties 55,-
726 lbs. of bacon. 8 5Sl bushels of corn, SO
bushels Of wheat (old crop,) 2077 lbs. of rice,
s54 bushels peas, 50S2 gallons Of syrup and
Sc lbs. Of sugar. There was also a depot at
Andersonville. Witness said he had heard
that ladies near Ardersonville made Two sue
cessful efforts to relieve the prisoners. but
the third time they we're repulsed by General
Winder with insult.
Major Noyes testified that the arrest Of
Wirz was made as quietly as possible He
informed Wirz and his family that if General
Wilson found that Wirz had done nothing
more than his duty, and acted in obedience to
orders he would probably be released. Gen.
Wilson did not direct or authorize witness to
give any promises, and he did not thiuk he
did. The prisoner remained under guard all
the time and was never on his parole
Capt. James M Moore, Assistant Quarter
master Of the United States Army, testified
that the number of butials at Andersonville
was II 9l2 45l bodies were unknown the
number of graves in the small pox cemetery
was Ga these included all he had been able
90 find the bodies were buried 10 trenches
from 100 to 200 yards long, and closely
that the tablets containing the names and
rank of the deceased almost touched the
graves of the last buried were not found
marked no disinterments we're made for re-
burial.
John NJ. Yonker, Of the l2h U. s. Infant
ny, testified to the recapture ol escaping priso-
ners by bloodhounds, and other cruelties per-
petrated at Andersonyille.
James P. Stone, of the I'd Vermont, and
several others also testified to the cruel treat
ment at Andersonville. Adjourned.
.trq sa t,t WAsHINGroN, Sept. 20.
DR., A. Thornbury, of the Confederate SER
vice, testified to reporting the very bad san-
try CONDITION OF, and the great mortality in,
the hospital at Andersonvile, &c. On the
cross examination he said he thought Wirz
showed disposition for the surgeons to do
all they could for the prisoners.
A. ID. Blair, Of the 22d N. Y Regiment,
testified to being shot for reaching over the
dead line for water. The bullet struck two
other men, one of whom, who was in his tent,
was MORALLY wounded. Wirz planted a
range Of flags inside the stockade, and gave
orders that If crowd of 200 gathered in one
place beyond those flags he would fire grape
and canister among them.
Charles II. Russell, of the lst Wisconsin
Cavalry, testified that Wirz threatened TO
shoot him because he spoke to him about the
bad bread Witness had seen men shot by
sentinels. He saw Wuz go up to and shake
the hand of a sentry who had shot man,
md ali i'm a oil L..
had been an Orderly Sergeant in an Illinois
regiment, and was under Siegel.
Other witnesses were examined, and the
Court adjourned until to morrow.
s. WAsHIseToN. Sept. 81.
ID. b. Walker gave testimony similar to
previous accounts Of dastardly speech made
by Howell Cobb at AndersonvilIe about hang
ing prisoners, &c. Cobb also recommends
Wirz as meritorious and effective officer.
Ambrose Spencer residing nine miles from
Andersonville testified to the wretched con
dition OF the prison. The odor from stockadt
could be detected two miles off.
The country was fertile and densley wood.
ed. The crops in 1864, including vegetables
were very large. The witness knew of ladies
in the neghborhoOd gathering clothing and
food for the relief of the prisoners, about
which Gen. Winder said with an oath, he be.
lieved that the whole country were becomi z
Yankees. and that he would be damned il h,
wouldn't put a stop to it. He used Other
language, the meaning of which was that he
could very easily make loyal women OF then
in a certain condition. ~ 81
Wirz subsequently said that if he had hi'
own way he would have house built for Ger
tain infamous purposes, in which he woulC
place these insolent women.
DIR. b. j. Head, who on duty as Sur
geon at Andersonville, in July and Angus
of "a. testified to the suffsrings Of the pris.
oners, from disease and want of proper diet
sent supplies in and be in consequence wa,
the recipient of outrageous language from
Wnder and others. 10 i
Chas. II. Russell recalled and related two
instances of cruelty by James Duncan, rebe
who was in charge of the distribution'of food
in kicking man who asked for crust o
bread, and he died several days thereafter
and he treated another similarly for the same