The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-28
WIRES DYING srArEMENr.

WIRES DYING STATEMENT.
A short time previous to his execution, Wirz
gave the following particulars concerning his
life: He was Born in the Canton of Solothurn,
Switzland, in 1922, and when quite young re-
moved with his parents to Zurich, where his
father carried on the tailoring business until
1894, when he took position in the Custom
House, which he still held when the prisoner
last heard from him. Wirz married in Swltzer-
land lady of aristocratic family with considera-
Bile money, but he soon, by his profigate habits,
run through it, Failing to agree, ir was arrang-
ed that they should SEP arate, he leaving for this
country and allowing her to obtain divorce.
When growing up, Virus father wished him to
study for the pulpit, but he refused preferring
medicine, and took course at Zurich, where
he graduated. After arriving in this country
and took another course, and graduated at
Cleveland, Ohio. He was for two years 10
banking house in Zurich, and afterwards travel
led through Italy, not stopping long at any one
place..
Wirz landed in New York in lS49, and made
an effort to establish himself as physician, but
failed because he could not speak good English.
He then went to Connecticut, where he remain
ed several months, subsequently he worked in
factory in Lawrence Massachusetts for time,
and was soon engaged as interpreter in factory
three miles from Northampton, where Germans
were employed; Was afterwards engaged as su-
perintendent of water cure establishment in
Northampton, Massachusetts, At the instance
OF a physician Wirz west with him to CadIz,
Kentucky, where he marrienn his present wife,
Elizabeth Savills in 1851 Cadiz sot offering
good opening he went to Louisville, and was
superintendent of a water-cure establishment
for some time. Wirz afterwards took charge Of
one OF Mr. Marshal's plantations, near Natchez,
and in 157 moved his family there and remain
ed until the breaking out ofthe war.
10 the early part of the rebellion he enlisted
in company called the Madison Infantry, and
remained with it until August, 1861, doing
guard duty at Towards Factory Prison, in
Richmond. When the prisoners commenced
to arrive from first Bull Run there was no list,
and Wirz commenced to make list of them.
tie attracted the attention of General Winder,
and in short time, by order from the War
Department, was placed on detached service
in the South with the rank of Sergeant. Iu
May, 1862 he returned to Richmond, and was
sent out to the battle of Fair Oaks, where be
acted as Assistant Adjutant General and Aid to
General Joe Johnston, and in this battle re-
ceived a wound on the right arm, from piece
of she'll, making it necessary for difficult sur
gical operation to be performed. Wirz was
then made Assistant Provost MarsbsL of Man
chester, but did not like the place, and asked to
be relieved, and was placed on Winder's Staff,
and at the request Of Guild was ordered to SO
over the South and hunt up prisoners.
WheH-he had completed his tour and report
ed, he was assigned to duty as chief of the secret
police, but disking this more than the Provost
Marshalship, and not succeeding in being re-
lievRd, he obtained sick leave. He went on
that thirty days leave to Tuscaloosa, and had it
extended for thirty more, but was ordered in
few days to come Immediately to Richmond.
They had at this time started Libby prison and
Belle Isle. This was early in 1868. When
he came to Richmond he was made chief of
police in the Provost bI4rshals office. He
staid there two days. One day he met an off,
Ger, who told him they werc looking for some
body to carry arms to the Trans Mississippi
Department. He offered to carry them, and
soon received orders from both the Secretary of
War and the Secretary of the Navy. He went
to Charleston and got some fixed ammunition
and guns that had just arrived from England
lie went as ta1 as Meridian, and had some
trouble getting through Penberton's Depart
ment; went to Port Hudson and could not
cross on account Of the gunboats Hartford aud
Albatross. He then got furlough to go to
Europe on account of his health. He had
furlough for four months, but was so delayed
that his furlough only lacked three weeks Of
being out when he landed at Liverpool After
returning from Europe he was ordered to Au-
gusta to superintend the transportation of pris-
oners to AndersoDville, and in March, 1864
was ordered by General WiDder to relieve his
son at Andersonville.
With respect to his fate he said: GAS far
as am concerned | have no hope of reprieve.
These things which were done (meaning Ander-
sonville) somebody must, suffer for. | have
never denied that the. prisoners were mistreated;
but it was not my fault. If | am the last one
| that is to suffer death for the Southern Confcd-
eracy l am satisfied. do not fear DEATH l
never saw man shot nor never shot one myself
That will say as long as can say it. never
hunted prisoners with the dogs, nor anything of
that kind. Unfortunately, Gen Winder is dead
IF he was living [ know he would come out and
not let the innocent ones suffer. [ never could
get Winder to set his foot on the inside of that
stockade. | don't know the reason. have 40
complaints to make of the persons who have
taken care of me here in prison, nor do have
any i'll will against any member of that court
martial; nor the Judge Advocate. IF I have
againstany one, it is they who perjured them
selves The man who gave his name as Della
bon, a grandson of Gen Lafayette, will be found
out TO be German Jew FAMED Schaffer, de-
serter from a New York regiment I went
down into the yard to-day, and there saw pre-
parations being made for the scaffold, which
would make most any man finch I had no
such feelings. L cannot express it. It is not
hard heartedness, but had no such feelings.
Anybody who knows anything of military mat
tiers knows that in command of thirty five
thousand men has to be strict, but when am