The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-31
TmE wIRFz TRIAL.

WAsHIEGToE, August 30.
The record of yesterday having been
read, Gen. Thomas, q member of the Com
mission, said, he understood that the pris-
oner had been kept hsnd-cuffed at night
while in prison. The accused should be st
liberty to prepare his business previous to
his attendance before the Commission. He
did not know who had charge of the &C.
cused, but as he was attended constantly
by guards he could see no necessity for
continusng rigid treatment, he made the
suggestion with q view that the condition
of the prisoner might be smeliorated.
Judge Advocate Chapman stated that the
rigor alluded to was adopted as matter of
precau,ion, suggested by the counsel for
the defence, who said that otherwise, the
prisoner might commit suicide.
The conversation occurred on the same
day the gentleman retired. Acting upon
the suggestion of the counsel and upon his
own Judgment he asked the keeper to hand
cuff him. It was not that night, because
the sentry constantly, but it wss subse-
quently done. Il was not unusual for
prisoners accused as the prisoner was to be
kept in close confinement and handcutfed.
He was sure such treatment was well
that the court should not dictate
what treatment the prison keeper should
adopt. The Court was responsible for him
only while he wss here; he did not want
to subject him TO cruel treatment. If the
Court thought that no such treatment as
that complained of should be continued he
felt satisfied that Colonel Colby would &C
commodate himself to their wishes. He
repeated that the Handwriting was only
matter of precsution for the reasons stated;
he was sorry to learn that the handouts
last night injured the prisoner, but it was
certainly unintentional and could not have
been known to Colonel Colby.
Gen. Thomas said he would distinctly
state that the matter was brought to his
attention by the counsel lor accused.
Mr.. Baker said that on that day the
prisoner was so distracted in mind that he
himself did not know what he would do.
The prisoner threatened frequently to him
that if the counsel did not return, or de-
serted him, he would never again come into
the presence of the Court.
During the csnfusion and excitement Of
the prisoners mind in speaking to the
Judge Advocate, he made the remark that
he did not know what the prisoner would
do unless the counsel returned. He did
not know but that the prisoner might be
confined closely.
From this the mistake arose. Last
night, however, when there was no neces-
sity for it, the prisoner Wss handcufed.
1t was only intended for temporary cir
cumstsnce. If ne hsd had more cslmness
at the time he might perhaps not have
made the suggestion. 1t WAS proper TO
say the prisoner made no complaint of
harsh treatment From what he mad seen
of the guards in attendance they had given
him every attention demanded. There
was no necessity hereafter to put him in
any special confinement. He was rather
sorry that his associate suggested anything
| of the kind. If it had come 70 his knowl-
edge he would have let it pass. If the
prisoner had not been in an unusually un-
healthy condition no injury would have oc-
CURED by the treatment. No one how
ever is to blame fer 1t.
The Judge Advocate said the govern
ment must take its own course.
Mr.. Baker presumed that the placing OF
prisoner in hand cuffs would not again oc-
cur in consequence OF any statement of his
own.
Alex. W. Parsons, being sworn, said that
he served as Lieut.. Col of both Georgia
volunteers. Was on duty at Anderson
vile from some time in February, 1864, till
the lst of June, same year was first sent
there to command troops and afterwards
was assigned as fort commander. Capt
Wuz came direct from Richmond by
order Of Gen. Winder, 70 command the