The Portland daily press., 1865-08-29
lYaTEI.EGRAPH.
re THE DAILY PRESS.


M
was prisoner at Andersonville, testified as to
Werz searching and taking from him over $3.50
in gold and $3.50 in greenbacks, and a breast
pin and ring which were never returned. He
saw Werz kill weak man by shooting him
with revolver, merely because he asked to 90
out and take little fresh air. The witness
for demonstrating against this act of cruelty
was fastened with ball and chain, but cot
loose and made his escape
Sergeant Corbett gave his account of the An
Jacksonville prison, representing it to be de-
posltory offilth. Men were dying around the
swamp there in the most horrible condition,
and one man, he believed, died from the effects
of lice. Maggots and flies gathered IN their
sores. The food was insufficient even when
the prisoners received double rations The
witness also testified to his own experience Of
being chased by blood hounds. After he en-
tered the stockade he found nine men of his
company who had been brought there three
months previously. Within two months six
OF these men died. Offourteen men who were
taken to Andersonyille there were only two
who returned alive, and he was one of them
He had seen men shot and killed at the place
where the stream entered the stockade. The
swamp on each side of the stream was so often
sive and the stencil SO great that he wondered
every man there did not die. He believed that
was one cause of the death of so many of our
soldiers dug up roots which were dried in the
sun and used for fuel. The sick fingered around
the swamp as soldiers lie down to rest after a
march. Going to that place he would find dead
men. The feet of many were swollen, and
many had gangrenous sores. The men were
unable to move, lying in their filth. They gen
orally chose their position, and would prefer
being near the sink. When the prisoners were
sick within the stockade no medicine was Civ
en- to them. They however gave him some
meal and water, and called it vinegar. Our
own men made better article which they
called sour beer. The sick were carried out at
the south gate. In some cases men would die
while waiting to be carried out. In regard to
removing the dead, four men were assigned to
that duty, and in return were allowed to bring
in the wood, which, ii they chose, they could
sell inside for dollar. The men became SO
hardened that they would say "That's right,
sell dead man for wood.1 The water pass
ing through the camp was filthy generally, and
not good to drink AT times those who had
wells gave him a drink, and at times they
would not, and were so rude that he would
drink the stream water rather than be abused.
He had seen onions sold for %, so and Is cents
each. The effect of the treatment was to de-
moralize the men-some became idiotic. The
nearer the stockade the clearer was the water
Some would go over the dead line where it was
broken without knowing it, and had they not
been warned would have been shot Hounds
were kept there to hunt and recapture those
who attempted to escape. Prisoners were allow
ed to &C out in certain numbers to collect wood.
Witness told his comrades the next time he
got off the stockade, he would try and escape.
He made the attempt, and was hunted, but
not Immediately found. He lay concealed an
hour or two, and heard the yelling of hounds
in the distance; then nearer and nearer they
came, SO close as to actually rub his nose, and
then made circle around him, until the hum
ter or soldier said he must 90 with him.
The soldier said that the old captain told
him to make the dogs tear him, the witness
but, having once been a prisoner himself, he
felt for those who were in that condition.
When witness was brought before Capt. Werz,
the latter asked the soldier why he did not
make the dog tear him, when he replied, II
guess the dog hurt him enough Werz then
ordered witness to be taken back to the stock
ade.
Two brothers named Brown, having been
examined and testified to instances of cruelty
by Werz, the counsel for the prisoner taking
offense at some remarks of the court, aban-
doned the case and retired.
- L. d. Brown, captured at Plymouth, and
taken to Andersonville, testified that on OF
about the 10Th Of May, 1864, having written
letter to bis parents and being about to take, it
to the letter box, he saw a cripple with one
leg, who asked the sentinel to call Capt. WeTz
The captain came. The man asked the cap
tain to let him go out The captain never an
swered, but turned to the sentinel, and said,
"Shoot the one-legged Yankee dead" A shot
was fired, and part of the mans head was
blown of, and he died in a few minutes. The
blood hounds were taken round every morn
ing, Capt. Werz riding with them on horse
back in company with the keeper Witness |
had seen man who had been lacerated by
the dogs. When he went to Andersonville his |
watch and $175 in money were taken from
him. For one day the prisoners were de- |
prived of food until they had arrested about
300 men, who, from starvation, had made a
raid on the supply wagons 4ss
Jacob A. Brown, brother of the former wit
ness, and late prisoner at Andersonville. tes-
titled that on the 9th of July, 1854, he saw
Werz in sentry box, when man came be-
yond the dead line to get water. Werz order
ed him to be shot down. The sentinel fired
and killed him, the bnlIet taking effect in his
head. Witness mentioned another case where
man was shot for similar offense, the ball
taking effect in his breast. He did not see
him die, but had no doubt the wound was IA
tall He had heard men threatened by Werz.
The latter said if the men did not fall into the
ranks they would be shot down, and the men
accordingly hurried into the ranks. The wit
ness stated cases where the prisoners were de-
prived of rations from the first to the fourth of
July, 1864. ~ - as aa11o
Mr.. Baker declined to examine the witness
last named, having taken ofense at the ruling
of the court. He said: qa aE (@t4
II desired that my relations should be ami
cable with the court, but after what has taken
place | think | can be of no further assistance
to the prisoner by remaining any longer. = j
had hoped the mass of the testimony in nay
possession would have"
The Court, interrupting Do you decline?
What Is your purpose 2" lial7g 3s8o
3 Mr.. Bakers 1 must state that we leave the
prisoner to himself"
The Court,-"We do not desire to have
YOU. li1lz0J 5Iaasa.sg - 10
Judge Advocate Chipman,-*I should like
to know whether the counsel have abandoned
the case pr
The Court 1--WE don't understand Mr..
Schade has abandoned the case"
Mr.. Schade,- have tried to stay here as
long as possible.n ~ see rsstao
The Court Do you abandon the case ~
Mr.. Schade-@ follow the example of my
colleague, believing we can't do anything more
for our client, .fiai ilaus d
The Court" Then you win take your seat.
We understand distinctly that counsel have
abandoned the case" gs
Z Mr.. Baker" We do not but leave him in
the hands of the Court ard Judge Advocate"
The Court" Not another word from you
You are now mere spectators" aslDU
Judge Advocate Chipman-9I will try to
adapt myself to the interests of the prisoner"
The Court We win now adjourn, if the
Judge Advocate desires, to enable him to take
such steps as he may think proper"
The Judge Advocate assented, and the court
adjourned until tomorrow. Dad
s'n Er,o,,, Wnsbi,,1fo,a