The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-10-03
AtrOtitp unparalleled,
THE HORRORS OF ANDERSONVILLE,
AS BROUGHT FORTH IN
The Trial of Captain Wirz.

The Government has closed its evidence
in tho Wiz trial, There were over one
hundred witnesses yet to be examined, but
ms their testimony related to the same series
of wrong and cruelty already detailed, it
was deemed unnecessary to bring forward
the witnesses, aud they were accordingly
discharged.
The Government seems to havo kept
back it's most crushing evidence till the
last The testimony of rebel surgeon, Dr.
Hopkins, confirms all that has ever been
charged in relation to the scautiness and
! bad quality of the food furnished. the hur.
rihle overcrowling of the stockade, the
filth of the stream and marsh, and the want
of medicines and hospital supplies and ac.
commodutions, and worst OF ALL it is shown
that it was not through ignorance of the
condition of affairs or want of materials
that this state of things existed IIe tes-
tiiied that on the 22d Of July, 1864, he was
assigned to duty, at Andersonville. lie,
with Surgeon White, was ordered to make
u thorough inspection of the prison and
hospital, with II view to their Improvement.
The witness then read the following letter
as the report which he had made:
ANDERsoNvLtE, GA, August II, 1864.
Brig. Gen. John II. lPmder:
GENERAL In obedience, your order of the goth
of July, requesting us 10 make an examination of
the Federal prison and hospital at this place, and
to ascertain and report to you the cause of the dis
ease and mortality among the prisoners, and the
measures necessary to prevent the same, has been
complied with; and we respectfully submit the
following causes of disease and mortality:
l. The large number of prisoners crowded to-
gether.
2. The entire absence Of all vegetables as diet
and necessary as preventive of scurvy.
3. The want of barracks to shelter the prisoners
from sun and rain.
4. The inadequate supply of wood and good wa
ter,
5. Badly cooked food
G. The filthy condition of the prison.
Z. The morbid emanations from the branch or
rayne passing through the prison, the condition of
which can't be better explained than naming it
mass ofhnman excremcnt and mud.
Preventive measures:
!. The removal Immediately from the prison of
not less than 5000 prisoners.
2. The detail on parole of sufficient number
of prisoners to collect the necessary supply Of veg
etablcs. Until this can be carried into operation
the appointment of agents along the different lines
of railroad to purchase and forward supply.
3. The immediate erection of barracks to shelter
the prisoners.
4. To furnish the necessary quantity of water,
and have wells dug to supply the deficiency.
5. Divide tho prisoners into squads, place each
squad under charge of sergeant, furnish the
necessary quantity Of soap, and hold the sergeant
responsible for the personal cleanliness of his squad,
furnish the prisoners with clothing at the expense
of the Confederate Government, and If that Gov
ernmen be unable to do so, candidly admit our in
ability, Gnd call upon tile Federal Government to
furnish them.
5. BY daily inspection of the bakehouse and
cookery.
a. Cover with sand the entire morass not less
than six inches deep, board the stream or water
course and confne the men 70 the of sinks, and
make the penalty of disobedience of such orders
severe.
For the hospital. we recommend that, First, the
tents be llcored with plank. II plank cannot be
had, with boards. and it this be impossible, then
with straw tn be frequently changed. Second, We
find an inadequate supply Of stool boxes, and re-
commend the number be Increased and that the
nurses be required TO remove them MS soon used,
and before returning them, see they are well
washed aud lined. Third, The diet for the sick is
not such ms they should have, and we recommend
that they be supplied with the necessary quantity
Of beef soup, with vegetables Fourth, We also
recommend that the soldiers be required to visit
the hospital TO less than twice day. We cannot
too strongly recommend the necessity Of the ap-
pointment Of efficient medical officer 10 the
elusive duty finspecting daily the prison hospital
and bakery. and requiring of him daily reports Of
their condition.
We have the honor to remain, General,
Very respectfully, your obedt servant,
[Signedl +. s. HOPKINS,
Acting Assistant Surgeon.
DR.. Hopkins further testified that he
submitted it to Dr. White for his signature.
The latter said Il contained the truth, and
that he would sign it and send it to Con
Winder, hut he did not sign it. and the
witness did not know that anything had
been done TO carry out the suggestion. M
Judge Advocate Ohipman then submitted
general order of General Winder's adj
dressed TO Dr. Hopkins, 10 show that the
Richmond authorities had knowlege OF the
condition OF the Andersonville prison, aud
that General Winder had authority TO APP
ply a remedy.
DIR. C. II. Rice, on duty at Andersopville,
testified to the terrible condition of the
stockade. Tho men died from starvation,