The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-06

accused, addressed to the editor of the
New York Nems:
OLD CAPITOL PRISON,
WASHINGTON CRY,
August 27, 1865.
To The Editor Of the Ne,o York Ne,cs:
Although a perfect stranger to you,
take, in my unfortunate and help
less condition, the liberty to address
you this letter, knowing that, as q
friend to the -trodden South,
YOU cannot but have sympathy for u
man who, as he believes, is innocently
about to be sacrificed; a sympathy
which, L hope, will prompt you to in
terest yourself in his behalf.
am native Of Switzerland, and,
having been for. years before the war
a resident of Louisiana, could not do
otherwise than take up arms to defend
the State and country of my adoption
when it was invaded. I Joined the
Confederate army in 1861, and served
faithfully the cause considered to be
q righteous one. In 1862, the United
States troops destroyed my home, and
my wife and three children had to
seek shelter among friends. lost all
l possessed but few negroes, who
still remained faithful; in 1864, I was
ordered to report to the officer of the
military prison at Andersonville,
Georgia; by this officer I was put in
command Of the prison, and remained
IN that position from April, 1864,
until 1865.
When the South ceased the struggle,
I was still in Andersonville with my
family, believing myself fully protect
ed by the terms of The agreement be-
tween Generals Sherman and John
ston, and never dreaming that Ia
poor captain and subaltern officer
would be made to answer with my
life for what is now alleged to have
been done in Andcrsonville. I was,
in violation of safe conduct which
was given me by staff officer of Gene
raj Wilson, arrested in Macon, Geor-
gia, was kept there in confinement for
two weeks, and then sent on fo Wash
ington, and am now, by order of the
President of the United States,
brought before court to be tried
under the most atrocious charges. [
have no friends here. I am helpless
and unless 1 can get help, will have to
lose the last things which possess in
this world-my good name and NV.
life.
Ny conscience is clear. I have
never dealt cruelty with prisoner
under my charge. If they suffered for
want of shelter, food, clothing and
necessaries, could not help it-hav-
ing no control over these things
things which the Confederate Govern
ment could give only in very limited
quantity, even to our own men, as
everybody knows who will be just and
impartial. Ny legal advisers, (Messrs.
Schade and Baker seeing MY help
lessness, have undertaken to conduct
Ny defence. They both are doing it
from generosity and compassion.
knowing full well that I have not
the means to remunerate them for
their trouble. But 1 cannot expect
them to furnish the means which it
absolutely requires in the conducting
OF a cause of such Importance. Copies
OF dispositions have to be made, mes
sengers have to be sent here and there
to get up testimony; and how can this
be done without money? Ihave none
to give; and no doubt my case will be
lost-my life sacriticed-for the want
OF the money to dcfray the expenses
OF such It trial. But my counsel be-
lleve, from the evidence already in
their possession, that, if the necessary
means can be obtained, my acquittal
must be the result.
In this condition / take the liberty
to appeal to you to assist me, and let
me not bc the victim of injustice.
Your influence is such that it will not
require very great efforts to collect the
necessary means fora vigorous carrying
on of the defence. lam myself without
clothes, without any means to alleviate
the hardships of p close confinement.
M1z Loaltl, =, LII 6.,sl 4l,a