New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-31
A Rebel Surgeon Complains Of the
Prison.
SERGEANT CORBETT RECALLED.
More banning Evidence.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday. Aug. 80. 1865

WASHINGTON, Wednesday Aug 30, 1865.
The record Of yesterday having been read,
Gen. Thomas, a member Of tie Commission said he
understood that the prisoner had been kept handcued
at night while in prison. The accused should be at
liberty 10 prepare his business previous TO attendance
before the Court He did not know who had charge of
the accused, but he was attended constantly by
guards he could sec necessity for continuing the
rigid treatment. He made this suggestion with the
view that the condition OF the prisoner might be
ameliorated.
luded adopted as matter Of preoantion at the
suggestion Of the counsel FOR the defense who said tat
otherwise the prisoner might commit suicide
This conversation occurred the same day the
gentlemen retired as his counsel Acting on
the suggestion of the counsel, and upon his own
Judgment be asked the keeper 10 put the handouts on
the prisoner IL was not that night because the sentry
constantly attended hm but II was subsequently done
II not unusual for persons accused as the prisoner
was be kept in close confinement and handcuiied.
He was sure such treatment well known 10 the
prisoner himself II seemed the Court should not die
tate what treatment the prsonkeeper should adopt.
The Court responsible for him only while he was
here lie did not want subject the prisoner 10 cruel
treatment lie did propose apply the Ter tdiioni
II the Court thought that snch treatment rs that
complained Of should be continued. he felt satisfied that
Col Colby would accommodate himself to their wishes
He repeated, the Handwriting only matter OF pre-
caution for the reason stated lie was sorry To learn
That the handouts last night Injured me prisoner put
it certainly unnentiona and could not have been
known to Col Colby.
Gen Thomas would distinctly state that the matter
brought TO his attention by the counsel for the
cused.
Mr. Baker said that that day the prisoner was
distracted In mind. that be himself (Mr Baker, did
not knoG what he would do The prisoner threatened
frequently 10 him that II the counsel did not return
deserted him. be wonld never again come into the
presence the Court During the confusion and
element OF the prisoners mind in speaking 10 the
Judge Advocate he made the remark that he did not
know what the prisoner would do unless the counsel
turned lie did not know but that the prisoner might
be confined closely. From this the mistake arose.
Last night, however, when there was necessity for
IT, the prisoner haDdcuffed. II was only intended
for a temporary circumstance. II be had had more
camness at the time he might perhaps. not
have made the suggestion. IL was proper 10
say the prisoner made no complaint of harsh
From what lie had Of the guards In at
tendance they had given the prisoner every attention
demanded There necessity hereafter to put him
In any unnecessary confinement He was rather sorry
;hat lis associate suggested anything of that kind lit
had come 10 his knowledge he would have let II pass.
Ii the prisoner had not been in unhealthy condition
injury would have occurred to him by the treatment
No one. however, is TO blame for II.
The Judge .Adyocate-The Government must take its
own course.
Mr. Baker presumed the placing Of the prisoner in
handouts would not ogain occur IN consequence OF any
statement of his own.
Alexander W Persons being sworn. said that he bad
served Lieutenant Colonel OF the 18th Georgia Vol
unteeis; be on duty al Andersonyile from some
time In February l-6i I'LL the LIST OF June Of the same
year; he was first there 10 command troops, aud
Wirz came direct from Richmond, by order OF Gen.
Winder 10 command the prison. the latter IN his letter
or order said that Capt Wiz old prison officer
Trustworthy and therefore capable OF conducting tie
prison; il dated some time IN February or March,
The witness as commander Of the post made n requsi
ton uyon the commanders OF the troops for soldiers To
guard the prison. these soldiers thus passed under the
control of Capt. Wr2 the prison laid out BY W.
= Winder son Of Gen. Wnder. and the capacity was
for 100 men, Richard Wnder was the Quartermaster
Of the prison; but the number there was
from - 900 TO $1,000 prisoners; the witness |
TO erect additional shelter, he was
lust about DO SO by hauling timber when ne was re-
and never went back except counsel for some
of the mem the timber had then been cut down from
within the prison; he had commanded at Andersonye
in the earlier and better Jays the witness drew OIL
Injunction Ia abate the prison nuisance owing 10 tne
stencil and euyia and unhealthy Influences the Judge
10 whom he applied said he would appoint day to hear
the argument In Chambers and the witness made MS
preparations accordingly; Gen Howelo oDp VINO com
handed the Department of Georgia and the Georgia
militia sent him communication asking hlW WIether
the bill was be charged TO him or against the 10y
ernmpur. lie informed Gen. Cobb he had drawn ing
lin which was o be charged 10 himself: CobD replied
through his Adutant General thai he deemed ~ lH.1
,stent with his duty as Confederate oneeI 10 ,"se
snch LEGAL proceedings; discovering that ne "oui ne
led If he uerscvered he said 10 Gen CoDb,
"If YOU deem it unoflicerllke viii abandon Tue case
he chose do this rather than De df'e" HUN 'o ''se'
this vas in July or August. loot 40
examined by Mr.. Baker-The capacity o. the
prison was for TO- 600 men, aud beyond lhat huoer ho
more ought 10 have been placed on tne gfounu even
aft
,or the Size OF the prison. one OF the reasons iOr cesr
inc 10 abate the prison nuisance was me almost
stencil and filth caused IN part oil the grave
,arIs. fhe green flies were as thick as locuss; the
rst blnnder was on the part Of the Confederate Gov
ernment in sending many prisoners there without
proper preparations - ,,,,,,
a. DO Won think some one or more individuals were
rosTrorsibre, IL So who were theyi A. think some
~ Tho HIGH officials responsible: sent commu-
ncation 10 Gen. Winder saying the prison worked
beyond its capacity, but no attention paid 10 the
remonstrance; an order came from Gen Cooper. Adu-
AMI and rsnecor General addressed 10 Gen. Winder,
the purport If which to organize prison depart
nen; officer was sent IN charge on the other side
IF the Mississippi, and Gen. Wnder put in charge
On this side; officer had right 10 interfere with
him. and il was made the duty of the commanders OF
lie adjoining posts to furnish troops for the PRISONS
Gen. Wnder Lad supreme control and dominion;
read the order but do not recoect whether u Was
issued by direction Of President Davis or noti IL "as
however signed by Gen. Cooper ooo
BY Mr. Baker-Ihere were not more thail eoooi iOoy
troops when was there and the greatest nuinoe' VI
prisoners from IL 600 to 1000 1T,
by Judge Advocate Chipman-lhe deau iine VI 's'n'
ated after Capt Wirz took command oi wv
BY Mr. Baker-It was called the deaa IN. peeiuse II
prisoner went beyond II he would De hno, anu thete
was no difference in principle between tnis ana the
imaginary line of sentinel The reason ior Inc DEAD
line was to prevent prisoners ifom uuue'm'nihs ana
making their escape ,,oo &, ,,a co,,o.o..
NeJicaI Puryeyors Office was examined and cross.