The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-08-28
Wertz Trial-Feurth Day.
WAsHINGroNI Aug. 2t

identified a certain paper offered as in the
handwriting of Josiah H. White.
The Judge Advocate moved accordingly.
to amend the first charge on which the pris-
oner is arraigned, by substituting ng the name
of Joseph White, as one =of the prisoners
with whom the defendant is charged with
conspiring TO cause the death of Union pris
oners.
Mr.. Baker objected.
The court overruled the objections, when
the name Of Dr. White was added
Mr.. Baker said the name of Jho. II. Win
der also appeared as one Of the Alleged con-
spirators. The fact was, however, notorious
that Winder is dead, therefore, the court is
sitting here trying n man not in existence. He
moved to strike out the name of Winder.
Judge Advocate-Do you appear for Win
der?
Mr.. Baker-No.
The Court-Do you hold that Winder is on
trial?
Mr.. Baker-Ihold that Winder, WHO'S dead,
cannot be tried for conspiracy.
Judge Advoeate-We have not been inform
ed that Winder is dead
Mr.. Baker-lt is notorious fact. of which
the world has taken cognizance.
Judge eAdvocate-Booth was dead when the
conspirators were tried yet. in that case, the
counsel for the defense made no objections to
Booth . name in the charge.
Mr.. Baker-A military commission could
do many things. but could not. however, try a
dead man
The court oyerruled the motion to strike
out the name of DIR. John f. Winder
DIR. Burroughs further testified that at An
dersonvilie prisoners were arrested for buy
ing green corn. which the guard took away
frf,rp hpr s.rf,r
of scurvy, and is useful diet. The slops OF
the cook house were thrown into the stream
which ran through the prison, the exhala
tons from which were terrible, and very un
healthy. Besides the sinks overfiowed. owing
TO rains, rendering the premises still more
intolerable. Human bodies sometimes Law
unburied for three DAYS The stencil was
terrible, sensibly affecting, the atmosphere.
and was worse tnan that from any dissection
room. Complaints OF these things were fire.
quently made in high quarters. Dead men
were in the morning frequently found among
the living. The largest number of deaths in
the stockade, for one day-August, ls64-
was 2o7
The witness found Wertz in charge Of the
prison when he was there, and left him there
at the time he made his escape. Rations
were cut of-meat, for the number of 80, 900
ptfsaHs-iof an entire uav, owing 10 an alieS-
ed offense of few others.
The witness remembered that Wertz said
TO him that he Wcrtzl was OF more service
10 the government than any Of the rebels in
front.
Cross-examined by Mr. Baker-Was a
student at Amherst Mass. at the breaking
ont of the war and had been licensed since
He was mustered on the 1th bf December
last He had never seen men in our army.
wearing bali and chain, nor had be seen
them punished in any other wdy than being
placed in the guard house. He had seen men
IN our hospital affected with syphilis, but
none of the cases were as bad as those at An
dersonville.
The cross examination was continued to
show that the rebel hospitals v ere deficient
of medical stores. when court Adjourned till
o clock.
Upon re-assembling. the examination was
continued. Owing TO insufficient medicine
and diet the chances of recovery were against
those who had syphilis.
The questions and answers on this point
were numerous, involving the treatment OF
the disease
Assistant Judge Advocate Hosmer here
said he did not see the releya ancy of these
questions.
Baker replied, he had asked ii 4e witness with
what disease the patients suffered, and how
disease manifested itself after the patients
were sent to hospital, and wh4 ether syphilis
was owing to impure vaccine rr after used on
them. He was cross-examinifg witness on
this very point.
The Court-You do no. give the witness an
opportunity to answer You pbt words into
his mouth.
Mr. Bake have the right TO thus draw
from him any information he hd IS.
The Court-We are disposed to be very lib
eral, but you must not suppose at the same
time that we will not take exceptions to your
mode of examination.
Mr. Baker, will pursue the examination
in proper way if | do not, the court will
excuse.
The Court-The witness must answer in his
own words.
Mr.. Baker, must pursue the course as
laid down in the books and must insist therein.
fhe Court-Go on.
The cross-examination was further contin-
ued, when court interrupted counsel by say
ing there is another lecture altogether unbe
coming and uncalled for.
Mr.. Baker, beg the court pardon.
The Court-You beg pardon; il is granted.
Mr.. Baker, hope you will not hold me
strictly to the rule.
The Court-Say nothing more about that,
but go on.
The cross-examination was then resumed,
and, finishing, the court interrogated the wit
ness who said the rebel force at Anderson
vile was between 5000 and 5000 men. The
fuel for them was cut by large force of col
ored men. There were axes enough to supply
our men for like purpose.
This officer gives as his honest opinion,
there had been proper food, clothing, quar-
tiers and other necessary supplies, from % to
so per cent. of the deaths might have been
prevented. In the dispensary he had some
supplies which had come by the way of Rich
| mond, such a. dried beef, say two or three
hundred pounds, and some bologna sausages.
He saw several boxes of clothing at the de-
pot. Nobody in his ward saw any clothing,
and only once or twice, a little Of the dried
| beef was brought in, but it did not afford each
| man in the ward half an ounce. The witness
did not know who used the remainder of the
beef and sausages.
| Robert H. kellogg was sworn, and said he
was captured at Plymouth, and with about 4,
600 other prisoners was taken to Anderson
vile. This was on the Sd of May, 1864. The
only prisoners then there were those who had
| been brought from Belle Isle, Libby prison
and other points They were ragged and des
titute of clothing. Many we're nearly naked
and totally unprovided with shelter, except
tattered blankets. The men were mere skeie
tons. The prison appeared to be crowded
though thousands were brought there after
ward. The prison was in filthy condition.