The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-04-17
Trial of Major John HI. Gee.-T


witnesses of the prosecution were examined
Wednesday and Thursday last They testlh
particularly to the shooting of some of the 1
soners by the guard at Salisbury, but withoutt
tinctly connecting Maj. Gee with the acts, furt!
than by general instructions necessary to enfo.
order and discipline in the prison.
The defense commenced the examination
witnesses on Friday.
DIR. Charles A Gee, of Quincy, Florida, bro
err of the prisoner, testified, that Major Gee l.
been a practitioner of medicine for twenty-f
wears: that he had practiced in Quincy Sill
the close of the war-that he was frequently
conversation with the commandant of that p
during two months, and that his brother was p
licly known there as Maj John H. Gee; that
was frequently advised by his friends to leavet
country but would not do so, that he was in
cent of any crime and did not fear eXaminat
DIR. Gee stated that another brother, David G
was in Salisbury with Maj. Gee, in the Fall
1864 and died near Quincy on the I'd OF Octob
soon after his arrival there from Salisbury, VIII
he had stopped on his way from Virginia
SYDNEY S. Baxter, of Wytheville, Va, was
Salisbury in September and October, 1864,
tending to some business connected with cltl:
prisoners under the directen OF MI Benlan
Confederate Secretary of State. While the
Mai. Gee received dispatch that II, OOO prison
fwar would be sent Immediately to Salisbu-r.
that Gen. Gardner came there about that III
but knew nothing of the intention to SEND
prisoners there until the arrival OF the dlspai
Mai Gee was surprised at the movement and
monstrated earnestly against the prisoners De
sent there on account of the unftness OF
rloce and the want of accommodations and p
visions of all kinds for SO Large number;
he endeavored to have the site OF the prls
changed either to point on the 1adkln river,
woodland on the railroad seven miles from Sa
bury or to hill mile from the town; and h.
ing failed in all these he made an effort 10 II;
the creek near the town turned so as TO y
through the prison grounds, but this was !
practicable on account ofthe ascent OF the grou
Mr. Baxter wrote several letters, at the 1nstal
of Maj. Gee to Maj. Darlington, in regard to 2
curing accommodations for the prisoners, ana
forwards made personal applications to the
thorities in Richmond on the subject, with
avail. There was difficulty between Maj.
and the Post Quartermaster, in regard to s
plies for the prisoners, the latter not filling
Mai Gees acquisitions promptly as he thou
he might have done.
Witness stated that, on his arrival in Richmo
after leaving Salisbury, he called on Major {
rington and Mr.. Kane and ascertained from I'll
that the letters referred to had been received
referred to the Department of prisoners, andti
on his applying there he was told by Gen. e;
ner that it was none of his business. Mr.. Ba,
testified to the scarcity of commssary stores
Salisbury, while he was there; that at Maj. G'
quarters, where he stayed, they were frequen
without meat because the commissary did
have any to furnish Witness testified to
rious efforts on the part of Maj. Gee to get II
Der, hunks and other supplies rthe prison;
he was not acquainted with Maj. Gee before
since until he came here; that during his sta.
Salisbury, Maj. Gee exhibited every trait OF
most humane man; that he did not go to bed
three nights, after the arrival of the prisoners
war at Salisbury, but remained almost constal
engaged in attending to the enlargement of
prison enclosure, the opening of wells and MAX
other preparations for the large number of
.oners sent there
Witness was aware of the fact of Maj. Gees
tention and wish to resign his position, on
count of his inability to do what was humane
just to the prisoners
On his cross examination, the witness sta
that he did not know how the affairs of the pri
were managed after he left. Maj Gees post
was peculiar one-Gen. Gardner had charge
the prisoners in orth-Carolina and Virgin
Maj. Gee reported to him
APRIL 10Th, 1S66.-The Commission met at
,o'clock-the President being detained in Newl
by pressing business, the journal of Thursday
Friday was read, after which the Commits !;
adjourned to 10 clock Tuesday morning.