Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-10-18
Trial Of Henry Wirz.
THE ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE.
ADJOURNED UNTIL FRIDAY.
WEDNESDAY, ooroBER ls, 1865. fg,s
UNITED STATES MILITARY COMMISSION
URN LEW WALLACE PresiGent


WEDNESDAY, ooroDRR ls, 1865. fgsF'
UNITED STATES MILITARY COMMISSION :
GIN. LEW. WALLACE, President.
MAJ Tn 4 4. 4. s Tossns, Judge Advocates.
The Commission met this morning-all the
members present; Col, Chipman, the Judge Ad-
voeate Mr.. Baker and Mr.. sehade for the accused.
The record Of Saturday having been read
r.0. e CAPTAIN C. N. sELPH .
was recalled by Judge Advocate Chapman, and a
letter shown, signed by Robert ould, agent Of
exchange, which he Identified. The letter was
here read by Col. Chapman, aud Is as follows:
cIrT PoIxr, March II, 1858.
sir; A Dag -of. truce boat has arrived, with $50
political prisoners-Gsueral Barrow and several
other prominent men amongst them. .'
wish you to send me at four o clock Wednes-
day morning all the military prisoners except
oticers) and all the political prisoners you have
II any Of the political prisoners have on hand
proof enough 10 conpiet them OF being spies, or
Of having committed other offences which should
subject them TO punishment, so state opposite
their names. Also state whether you think, un-
der all the circumstances, they should be re-
leased. The arrangement l have made works
largely In our favor. We get rid Of set Of mis-
erable wretches, aud receive some Of the best
material ever saw.
Tell Capt. Turner to put down on the list Of
political prisoners the names Of Edward @. Egg
ling and Eupenia Harm mermister The Presi-
dent is anxious they should get Of They are
here now. This, Of course, is between ourselves.
10 you have any female political prisoners whom
you can sond off safely to keep her company, |
would like you to send her.
Two hundred and odd more political prisoners
are on their way. r-.,...- .
would be more full in my communication II
had time. Yours, truly, ra.. o.
ROBERT orLD,
Agent Of Exchange.
Mr.. Baker asked to see the letter.
Gen. Wallace said: l understood that Mr.
Baker had withdrawn from the case.
Mr.. Baker: The record don't show it: You
Understood II from the newspapers.
Gen. Wallace: I was under the impression that
Lieut.. Col stibbs I understood, Mr.. President,
that he only submitted his case without argu-
ment. ......... ...
Mr.. Baker: That Is all, sir. when withdraw
from tho case he record will show II. Hr..
Col Chipmau said he hoped the gentleman
would be allowed to proceed.
Several members OF the Court said they under
stood the counsel had withdrawn; others under
stood he had submitted the case without argu-
ment.
Mr.. Baker stated that was all. He had simply
submitted his case without argument, but no.
Withdrawn from the case. .F
SAMUEL ?. HUNT
was sworn, and testified that he found the above
letter after the fall Of Richmond. He got II In
what was said to be Gen. Winder's desk.
The letter was put IN evidence.
Col. Chapman said he had endeavored to 60
over the case as far as possible, but In order TO
do away with any prejudice, he had selected
Mr. Hays to prepare the argument for the de-
fence aud present a statement Of the prisoner.
This statement had been examined aud revised
by the prisoner, and was now submitted with his
approval.
Mr. Hays, at ten minutes before eleven o'clock,
began the reading Of the argument for the de-
fence. The prisoner began by protesting his in :
nocence, aud stating that he had the greatest
faith in the power Of truth, aud the wisdom and
Judgment Of the gentlemen OF the Court nowtry-
ing him. He did not ask mercy, but he did ask
justice. He would endeavor to explain all things
which had appeared against him. He contended
that he had not feloniously combined or con-
spired with winder or others to kill or injure
the health Of the Union prisoners, and that he
was not the officer responsible for the SUFFERING
and horrors Of Andersonyille, or the crowded
condition Of the stockade, and the want OF shell
ter.
He commented on the testimony at great length,
and said II he had violated the laws Of war mur-
dered men, or violated the laws OF the commu.
nifty he should be punished, but he hoped to be
able to convince the court Of his innocence. He
was not the cause Of the suffering OF the Union
prisoners, but, on the contrary, did all in his
power to alleviate their suferings.
He concludes his argument as follows:
have now gone over the case the best could,
Dut IL nave pray OOutt
not to regard me as being unable to dispose Of 1t
fayorably to myself.
The statement which I now close will proba-
bly, survive me and you alike. It will stand as
a complete answer to all the mass OF misrepre-
heaped upon me. May God no direct
and enlighten you In your deliberations, that
your character for impartiality and justice may
be protected, my character defended, and the
few days OF my natural life spared to my help
less family.
Col. Chlpman said he would now ask the
twenty -four hours to prepare his closing argu-
pent In this case. He felt that the case was one
Of more than ordinary importance. II was his
right aud duty to ask the Court for the time,
hoping that he would be able " present both sides
Of the case, and thai he could go on Friday morn
ing and conclude during that session.
Mr. Baker asked Col. Chapman TO make the
In regard to the testimony Of Or. Ford.
Col. Chapman said that DR.. Ford had been ex-
cused by consent Of the COUNSEL with the un-
derstandipg that his testimony should be stated
to the Court. Col. G. said he had been Informed
by DR.. Ford that the accused, from the wound
on his arm, was now uuzble to knock stout man
down, though he did not know II his arm was so
bad while at Andersonyille. lie might be able
to knock down man so weak and emaciated AZ
the prisoners at Andersonville were.
The Court here adjourned until Friday morn
Ing, at ten o'clock. ..f