Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-10-19

dered the guard to fire upon the cripple if he again
entered the dead-line he never supposing that
"Chickamauga's" friends would allow him to again
go near the forbidden line He Wirz) then went out
OF the stockade, and his way to his quarters
Wheh ne heard the report of a musket, and going
back and mounting to the sentry box he found that
"Chickamauga" had been shot. He was shot for a
violation Of rule of the prison discipline, rule alb
soluteiy necessary at Andersonvlle and not un-
usual. for 1t was enforced in nearly all the military
prisons South. Besides the rules were printed and
pasted in conspicuous Places
with regard to the other alleged case of shooting,
it differed from that of "Chickamauga' in that the
alleged victim Vim. Stewart had the'good fortune
never to have been at the Andersonyille stockade
The name could not be found on any of the books
OF the prison, the hospital records or the death reg
iser
captain Wirz argues that as this testimony came
from man named Gray. who had prevaricated over
much MS statement not entitled to the least ere
dence. lie argues in similar manner to the evi-
denee OF Alcoke. who testified to having been robbed
and to Wirz ordering be bayonetted on an oc-
caslon OF their removal for exchange.
Captain Wirz adduces the testimony of Colonel Fam
hinge to show that he had nothing to do with the en-
poyment of the dogs. The allegation that furloughs
were granted to soldiers for shooting prisoners is pro-
nounced an absurd camp rumor. He denies that the
PeVHels neIe ever ucpIlNett OF ratl0nS us punish
ment. Only on one occasion was the whole camp de-
prved Of rations, and that was on the 4th of July
when there q difficulty with the raiders and the
quartermaster could not distribute the rations He
denies the exercise of personal violence toward the
prisoners. His physical condition was such that he
could not have knocked man down; he quotes from
the testimony of Father Whalen. DR.. Raymond and
others who had opportunities of observation to show
that such thing never occurred, his beating or
shooting prisoner.
lie also quoted from Col. Chanders report to show
that when the prisoners were inquired of as to their
treatment they never once mentioned his CWir's)
name. He acknowledges that two of the prisoners
were whipped, viz; Bardo, for Disgusting himself as
negro, but not by Wirz's orders as appears by
Bardos own Acknowledgements and the negro Haw-
kilas for offering gross insult to a white lady
lie denies having used the expression that he was
doing for the Conederacy than any regiment in
the 'front.' The remark made was that he had n
larger command than any general in the field; and
this was tortured into the remark first above men
toned.
The remark at the graveyard that the Yankees
We're getting the land they came for was actually
made, but not by him (Wirz, but by another officer
who was present.
After referring in complimentary terms to the
members of the Commission, Captain Wrz concludes
his statement thus:
The statement which L now close will probably
survive me and you alike. 1t will stand as a com
pletc answer to all the mass of Misrepresentation
heapcd against me- May GodSO direct and enlighten
you in your deliberations that your character for i'm
partality and justice may be protected my character
and the few days of natural life spared to
me be given to my helpless family.