Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-15
THE WIRZ TRIAL.
CONTINUATION OF THE TESTIMONY.


usual narrative Of horrors contested with the
Andersonville prison and the 6endish cruelty
of Witz.
]. Nelson Clark, Union prisoner, testi-
fed that on one day Of last year he counted
154 dead meu in the stockade. He mention
ed the case Of an insane soldier who walked
up and down by the stream, refusing to wear
clothes and who had not sense enough to
know that he must cook his rations. He en-
ded his life by suicide. Another prisoner
destroyed his life by hanging, after declaring
that he would rather die than remain in the
stockade. Witness knew Of six instances
where men had been shot for getting beyond
the dead line.
Vincent Harry, Of the 72d New York regi-
ment, in hi, evidence described the sufferings
Of $50 men who had been vaccinated with
poisonous matter.
Joseph X. Achuff, of the oath Ohio fegi-
ment, testified that be got away from the An
dersonville prison, but was recaptured. He
ran into swamp and soon saw five hounds
and seven rebels on horseback. The hounds
weae not taken off Of him for Is minutes,
during which time he had TO fight them with
his fists He had nothing upon him but a
pair Of pantaloons made Of two rebel meal
sacks. de still carries the marks Of the BIZ
ting on hi. legs. The horn was blown as a
signal to take the hounds of. He was taken
before Wirz, who ordered him to be put in
the stocks. where be was exposed to the sun.
He was thus punished for SO hours, and du-
ring that time had only two drinks cut of the
muddy creek. Wnen he spoke to Wifz about
his treatment, be was told to dry up or he
would have his brains blown out. After be-
ing taken out of the stocks be was ironed.-
When the irons we're removed it was preten-
ded that the rebel physician ordered 1t, when
the fact was ey we're afraid of Sherman.
having white fak hanging out all the time.
This was in July, 1864. The squad of 80
men to which witness was attached being In
toleraby good condition, could stand up In
line pretty we'll. but others could not. VIVA
said he would not give the latter anything to
eat for forty eight hours, and be kept hi'
word. On the 8 4th and 5.h Of July rations
we're cut off because some prisoners had es
capped. Witness had seen WE searching
the prisoners and appropriating their valua-
bles. Witness himself had been previously
robbed by Gen. Wheeler Of his pocketbook
containing 35 cents aud three postage stamps
Msior- Gen. Hindman also robbed him, tax
ing If his hat and placing it on his owr
head.
d. W Bussinger testified that when hi
and bis companions we're conveyed to Ander'
sonvile they were during fuor hours exposed
TO burning sun, and sumo Of the men were
sun struck. Witz was there and gave ORDER
that il any one stepped out of the line h'
should be shot. Wirz also said if any on'
asked TO. water they should be shot, accom-
panying the remark with denunciations o
he d-d Yankees. While many lay faint
ing WIZ said if it was in his power he woul'
make the victory complete. Witness hs
seen prisoners searching in the filth whic
had passed through men for particles Of undl
gested food A man who showed Wrz hi
rations of c.rn bread, and asked whether bet
ter could not be furnished, met with the re
.ponse-"G-d d-n you, I'll give you bull
cts for bread" There we're not sinks enoug
for one-twenteth of the prisoners. Tn
swamp was more than foot deep with hu
man excrement. This spoiled the water i
the wells.
Robert Morton. belonging to a PeunsylvN
MIA regiment, testified that he had seen Wir
wearing shirts which had been sent to ou
prisoners by the Sanitary Commission.
witness also testifes that WiIz remarked o
} one occasion that il he could has his way nc
twenty-f0ur men on the south side would ~
away by exchange or parole.
Frank Msttox [colored) testified as to tn
cruelties he had seen, including the las hin
of the bare bodies Of some of the prisoners
his own color. He said Wirz remarked th
, ne had given the Yankees the land the
came to fight for meaning the ground
which they we're buried.
E rAe Court here adjourned until to-mol
row.
: WAsHINGros, Sept. 6.