Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-10-13
TIE wIRz TRIAL.
WAsHrNeror,O Oct.

plenty OF wells In the stockade, but those
who acquired them by purchase or dug them
kept thom for their own use. They would
sell cup full Of water for chew Of tobacco.
A piece Of tobacco two inches square and very
thin would be sold for 25 cents. The water
in the creek was never fit to drink. About
20 out OF division Of 90 under the charge
Of witness died in the stockade, principally Of
diarrhea. Six Of the remainder were too
sick to travel to Millen. He saw men suffer
for want Of proper food, and not because OF
the lack Of a sufficient quantity Of it. They
could not eat corn bread because their mouths
were too sore with scutvy Witness never
in any battle was captured by Early's advanc-
ed guard could not tell how drunk he was
at the time Of capture. He was lying with
his face down, asleep, when the rebels took
him prisoner Witness said he had written
several letters to the New York Daily News
purportins to give plain statement Of facts
to see that justice was done to fellow man.
He selected that paper because he was &C
quainted with the editor, who was personal
friend OF his.
Frederick Rath then testified as to the af-
fairs at Andersonville, and said he frequent
ly carried food there.
Miss Mary Rawson testified that she lived
near Andersonville and frequently carried
food to one Of the Union prisoners. Capt.
Wirz had never refused or denied her any
privilege that abe had asked of him. He was
always agreeable and willing that she should
bring anything TO the prison. She never
heard Of Capt. Wirz treating anybody in an
unkind way. The name OF "her prisoner"
as she called him, was Peter X een, of the
10th Iowa regiment.
Rev. K. Duncan, minister OF the Gospel.
and attached to the Tennessee Methodist
Episcopal Conference testified that in Aug,
1854, he preached to the Union prisoners. -
He obtained pass Of Capt. Wirz to 60 in al
will. Witness also visited Andersonville in
the following February. 'He stayed there a
week each time. His mission proper was to
preach to the Florida artillery.
Cross-examined by Col Chapman When
his state (Tennessee) went out of the Union
he was identified with the act He went
with his country. He was a man of one
work preaching to souls everywhere. He
never thought that religion should be mixed
up with politics
Col. Chapman here asked a question affect
ing the loyalty Of the witness.
The ieverend gentleman ask els that q
proper question ?"
Col. Chipmsn said it was, and informed
the witness that he was at liberty to refuse
to answer any question that would involve
him in the crime OF treason.
The witness replied that he was subject to
the powers that be, and that ought to be a
sufficient answer.
The court overruled an objection raised by
Mr.. Baker, when Col. Chapman asked "Did
you ever take an oath of loyalty to the con-
federate government p
The witnees---I did not. never was con-
nected with the army in any way.
Several other witnesses were then examin-
ed, when the court adjourned
WAsHIseroN, Oct. 7.
The Wirz Military Commission re-assem-
bled to-day.
Capt. Selpb testified that some OF the box
es with sanitary goods for the soldiers were
broken open on the way to their destination /;
that vaccine matter was very scarce at the
South, and that his command stationed at
Vicksburg were vaccnnsted for the small pox ;
but those who had the disease recovered SOON
er than those who were vsccinnated.
Mr.. Baker then asked for an adj ouinment
Of the court until Thursday morning, which,
after lengthy discussion, was granted by
the court. tsH
Col. Chapman then made an argument to
show that the testimony of Generals Lee and
Johnston, Howell Cobb, Secretary Mallory,
Col. Ould, DIR. Moore and other distinguished
rebels who had been subpenaed by the de-
Tense, should not be received by the court.
Mr.. Baker objected strenuously to this and
the question was not fully decided.
DR.. Joseph Jones, Professor of Chemistry
in the Medical College of Georgia, was placed
on the stand, and produced report which be
made under permission of the rebel authori-
ties, concerning diseases at Andersonville.-
His object was to illustrate the facts relative
to the malaria fevers in camp and other dis
eases. The report shows a frightful mortali-
ty, the number of deaths being al one period
as large in the stockade as in the hospital
He describes the men as miserable in the ex-
treme, mere skeletons, encrusted and covered
with vermin. Some of them cursed their
own government for refusing to accede to an
exchange of prisoners.
Capt. Gilmore, on duty at Norfolk, testified
as TO the seizure Of watches, silver spoons,
forks, watch chains, etc., by a man named
Granson, on the eastern shore Of Virginia,
who claimed to be counsel for X. B. Winder.
A watch chain with medal attached was ex-
hibited to the witness to connect these arti-
cles with the plundering at Andersonville. e.
IL belonged to Darius Morris of the New
York Volunteers.
The Court then adjourned till Thursday
morning.
Wirz is suffering from inflammation Of his
Tipht arm whieh waa wonnded nv a ahell
He seems to have recovered from the depres-
sing effects Of his nervous attacks, and has
therefore exhibited marked calmness during
the trial of late.