The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-09-25
BY TELEGRAPH.
TILE TRIAL OF WERE.
TO THE DAILY PRESS.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.
The Werz Military Commission Resemble
this morning. Capt Werz Immediately after
being brought into court laid down on the
sofa stu being too weak to sit up.
oergt. gray, whose testimony towards the
CLOSE VI cne proceedings yesterday caused the
prisoner so much distress was cross-ex-
amined to-day. In reply to q onest;on hv
Mr. Schade, he said that he believed in nun
ishment after death. When he arrived at An
dersonvue as prisoner his pocket book and
cavalry coat were taken from him. His boots
naa Deen removed from his feet at theltime of
ms capture: The witness gave an affecting
account OF the su6erings of the prisoners. Aaa
capt. 4. ii, Weight Of the SD Georgia regi-
ment, was recalled and testified that in the alb
sence OF the post commander Capt. Werz had
Ine command and countersigned Through pa
pefs. ne tWitness) superintendent the extern
SION OF tne prison grounds, eleven acres having
peen added to them. Werz made acquisitions
for axes, which he had no difficulty in supply
ing fuel could have been supplied if the
prisoners had been allowed to go out after it
under guard.
jarvis Dyer, of the 18th U. S. colored infan-
try, testified that Werz proposed to the col
ored prisoners that if they took the oath OF
the South, they could choose their own mas
tiers, and some of the guard said Werz declar-
Cd he would make the white prisoners join the
Contederates by starving them. The witness
was for some time servant at the house OF
Dr. White, and was brought there by Werz,
for which he received no pay. Werz brought
to DIR. White three thousand letters addressed
to Union prisoners. He handed them to Capt.
Reed and wife, who was staying there. She
took everything out of the letters, such as
money, needles, thread, pictures, &c. She
laughed at the contents of the letters, making
fun of them, and ordered him to burn them.
He had seen the rebels wearing the clothing
which had been sent to the prisoners. He
had heard one of the surgeons at DIR. Whites
say, have poisoned five Yankees to-day .
and another would say, II have poisoned ten"
They were laughing and drinking at the time.
He also heard surgeons say they were going
to vaccinate, and then take from arms of the
Yankees. They would be frequently laughing
about the poison. Mrs. Reed took from the
letters four or five hundred dollars.
Judge Advocate Chapman said that the gov
eminent would informally close their case TO-
day, reserving the right, however, to examine
witnesses who may be found touching new
matter, and he would record evidence convict
ing the Richmond authorities with the Ander-
sonville prison. Ices s fsIf8f
Mr.. Baker said he could 60 it blind by con
senting to such an arrangement.
Col. Chapman replied that the evidence re-
ferred to Davis, Lee and others of the rebel
government, and the counsel had no right to
object to testimony, which did not personally
affect his client. 5N
Mr.. Baker asked the commission to adjourn
for at least week from next Tuesday for rea-
sons which he stated. Upon this there was a
lengthy discussion. 2
The court after elaboration with closed
doors, announced the decision on the app.icat-
ion of counsel, namely, everything the motion
for the adjournment for week, but agreeing to
adjourn till next Tuesday in consideration of
the delicate health of Mr.. Baker.
The court then adjourned till Tuesday morn
inc ! eIl.4.A.sA