The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-04-18

Vestal, Esq. lord of the tripod in that estaDilSh
ment.
Trial of Major John I'll. Gee.-The last
witnesses of the prosecution were examined ON
Wednesday and Thursday last They testified
particularly to the shooting of some OF the prl'
soners by the guard Salisbury, but without dis
tincty connecting Maj. Gee with the acts, further
than by general instructions necessary to enforce
order and discipline in the prison.
The defense commenced the examination Oh
witnesses on Friday.
DR.. Charles A. Gee, of Quincy, Florida, both
er of the prisoner, testified, that Major Gee had
been practitioner of medicine for twenty-five
wears that lie had practiced in Quincy since
tine close of the war-that he was frequently IN
conversation with the commandant of that post
during two months, and that his brother was pub
rclv known there as Mai. John II. Gee; that he
was frequently advised by his friends TO leave tle
country, but would not do so, that he was inno-
cent of any crime and did not fear examination
Dr Gee stated that another brother, David Gee,
was in Salisbury with Maj. Gee in the Fall OF
1864, and died near Quincy on the I'd OF October,
soon after his arrival there from Salisbury, whele
he had stopped on his way from Virginia
Sydney 5. Baxter, of Wytheville, Va, was in
Salisbury in September and October, 1864, at
tending TO some business connected with cltiZeh
prisoners, under the directen of Mr.. Benjamin,
Confederate Secretary of State. While there,
Mai Gee received dispatch that 10 600 prisoners
OF war would be sent immediately to Salisbury
that Gen. Gardner came there about that time,
but knew nothing of the intention to send the
prisoners there until the arrival OF the dispatch
Mai. Gee was surprised at the movement, and re
monstrated earnestly against the prisoners being
sent there on account of the unfitness OF tie
place and the want of accommodations and pro-
visions of all kinds for 50 large number; thai
he endeavored to have The site Of the prison
changed either to point on the Yadkin river, q
woodland on the railroad seven miles from Sails
bury, or to hill mile from the town; and hay
ing failed in all these he made an effort TO Eaye
the creek near the town turned so as to run
through the prison grounds, but this was i'm
practicable on account ofthe ascent ofthe ground.
Mr. Baxter wrote several letters, at the instance
of Mai. Gee, to Maj. Darlington, in regard to pro
curing accommodations for the prisoners, and af-
forwards made personal applications to the au'
thorities in Richmond on the subject, without
avail. There was difficulty between Maj Gee
and the Post Quartermaster, in regard to sup
plies for the prisoners, the latter not filling his
Maj. Gees acquisitions as promptly as he thought
he might have done.
Witness stated that, cnh his arrivalin Richmond
after leaving Salisbury, he called on Major Car
rinston and Mr.. Kane and ascertaincd from then
that the letters referred to had been received and
referred to the Department of prisoners, and that
on his applying there, he was told by Gen. Gard
ner that it was none of his business. Mr. Baxter
testified to the scarcity of commissary stores al
Salisbury, while he was there; that at Maj. Gees
quarters, where he stayed, they were frequently
without meat, because the commissary did not
have any TO furnish Witness testified as to va
rious efforts on the part of Maj. Gee to get lum
Der, hunks and other supplies forthe prison; that
he was not acquainted with Maj. Gee before he
went to Salisbury, and that he had not seen him
since until he came here; that during his stay al
Salisbury, Maj. Gee exhibited every trait of 6
most humane man; that he did not go to bed fol
three nights, after the arrival of the prisoners o
war at Salisbury, but remained almost constant.
engaged in attending to the enlargement of TIT
prison enclosure the opening of wells, and maxim:
other preparations for the large number of pris
oners sent there.
Witness was aware of the fact of Maj. Gees in
tention and wish to resign his position, on ac
count of his inability to do what was humane ant
just to the prisoners.
On his cross examination the witness state(
that he did not know how the affairs of the prison
were managed after he left Maj. Gees position
was peculiar one-Gen. Gardner had charge o
the prisoners in North Carolina and Virginia
Maj Gee reported to him.
APRIL 10Th, 1S6G.-The Commission met at II
o'cIock-the President being detainedin NewberT
by pressing BUSINESS the journal of Thursday anG
Friday was read, after which the Commission
adjourned to 10 o'clock Tuesday morning.