Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-08-24
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.3.

LASH lN'icN, aug. 80.
The Weltz Military Commission met this
a. H. ut | / clock, in the Court of Claims
room, 1t the Capitol.
Judge Hughes, of counsel for the accused,
said, as the prisoner should be brought into
court, he would submit motion.
Mai. Gen. Wallace remarked that time
enough would be given for that purpose.
Judge Hughcs-i will present it at the
earliest possible moment.
And the prisoner was at this stage of the
proceedings brought into court in custody of
military guard
Judge Advocate Chapman called the roll
of me,nbcrs, all Of whom answered to their
names He then read I'll order from the
War Department, dated 22d of August in
substance, that the Military Commission
which was 10 convene on the goth inst, is,
by order of the President of the United
States. dissolved, and then read another or
der. dated yesterday, converting n special
Commission to assemble to-day, at eleven
o'clock, for the trial OF Henry Wcrz and
such other prisoners as may be brought be
fore it. The detail of officers being the same
as that of the previous Commission.
Maj a. a. Hoser has, on application Of
Col. Chapman to the proper authority, been
appointed Assistant Judge Advocate.
Judge Advocate Chapman asked the pris-
oncr whether he had any objection to the
member Of the court.
| MI Peck, of counsel, said there was none
personally to the member.
The Judge Advocate ard official reporters
We're then sworn, promising in addition To
all impartial performance OF duty, that they
would not improperly disclose the secret
proceedings and sentence oi the court.
Judge Advocate Chapman addressing the
| pricncar Won aic s.larrpl under fL, ,s.tnn
OF Henry Wcriz. Is that your name:
| The prisoner said.lt was.
Judge Advocate Chipman--rhc charges
and spccfraticns will now be read.
| Mai Gen. Wallace, the President of the
Cour;-I4ct the prisoner stand up.
Capt Wertz rose to his feet, when the
charges and specifications were read. These
are substantially the saline as those upon
which he was arraiencd on Monday. he is
lirs, chareei with maliciously, willuly and
trailorousIv, and in aid Of the then existing
armed rebellion against the the United
States If America-on or before the Isl day
OF March. 1864, and on devious other days,
between that day and the 10Th day of April,
lS i5-combining, contclerating and conspir-
| ing. together with John H. Winder, Rich
ard b. Wrder, Joseph White, w. s. Win
der u. Il. Stevenson, and others unknown,
10 lultiTC tlfS dIiO QCStiOy TIC lItcS vi
soldiers in the military service Of the United
States. then held and being prisoners of war
within the lines OF the so-tallcd Confederate
States and in military prisons thereof to the
end that the armies Of the United States
might he reduced-this in violation of the
laws and customs Of war.
The above differs from the former charge
in this. namely, that the names of Robt. f..
Lee. JAS A. Seldom and Lucius d. North.
rup are now omitted.
The other charge is that of murder, pro-
duced by heariless brutal, cruel treatment.
The specifications are fourteen in number.
Judge Advocate Chapman asked the pris-
oner what he had to say to the charges.
The prisoner gave no reply.
Judge Hughes said that these charges and
specifications, or the fact that any amend
ments or changes had been made in those
heretofore presented, reached him now for
the first time. The counsel had received an
official note this morning from the Judge
Advocate, which he would read, accompa.
MED by a copy. as he supposed, of these
charges. This note was received ut s o'clock
or a little sooner this a. M, addressed to the
| firm Of which lie was member-to Hughes
d Peck-dated the Esd of August, 1868.
e3T The note from Judge Advocate Chipman
II in substance briefly as follows:
81 enclose a copy of the charges and speci-
fications. with such charges as may be pre-.
scented tomorrow. 1t is proper to cay now
what could not be said sooner, viz: the
court will assemble TO morrow Mt II O'Clock,
in the Court of Claims room, and win pro.
ceed without further delay with the case.
The objections made by you Vin in part be
removed by orders Of tomorrow. There
sc .ssns but two fairly raised by you to be
settied-hrst, "a to thu iuria1iciicn ~ &ha
c0ert second. o. to the immnn;tv If Cam.
NJ. Claimed under arrnoenSent III
1~ A'ose' And The capitulation q con.