Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-19
SECRET HISTORY.
The Trial OF Captain WirE, Of
AndersOnVille Prison.
Cor. New York Time,

Cor. New York Times
LOUISVILLE. KY, December 49,
The Rev. William John Hamilton,
rector OF the cathedral at Mobile, Ala,
who was one Of the four priests admit
ted TO the stocksde at Andersonville
prison 10 minister 10 dying soldiers, is
in louisville visiting Bishop Nc
Oloskey. Father Hamilton sss one
Of Wirzs witnesses during tho trial in
November, 1865, and he related to-
day some Of the secret history OF the
trial that bas never before been heard.
Father Hamilton, who is benevolent
looking mar Of fifty, was constantly at
Andersonville after the carnival of
death commenced, and while he ad,
mits the horrors and cruelties, he de-
lends Wirz, who, he says, was the
most humane keeper Of a prison he
ever met, and was constantly assisting
IN acts Of charity which would have
sent him TO the front if discovered by
his superiors.
Tits true" said Father Hamilton,
that the sutferings amongst the pris-
oners were terrible, but WiTz, poor
fellow, was no more responsible than
l, and SO, when he was arraigned in
August, 1865, | went on to Washing
ton to do what | could in his behalf
During the trial Captain Wirz was
suffering from various diseases and
wounds, and he was carried to and
from the courtroom by four marines.
A medical commission had been APP
pointed to examine Wirz. aud this ex,
animation resulted in the conclusion
that he could not possibly live longer
than two months at the furthest. This
iniOi nation | obtained through a
friend, and | felt it my duty TO inn
part It to Wirz, that he might pre-
par4 himself for the next world. This
was about two weeks before the end
Of his trial. He received tho infor-
nation calmly, and then made a re
quest Of me which shall never forget.
lie said that he realized his convic-
ton and condemnation to death was
a foregone conclusion, and that | had
no reason to think other
wise. | agreed with him
that on account Of the feeling existing
in the North he would certainly be
condemned to death. He then re
quested me to call upon Secretary
Stanton and say that he was willing to
plead guilty to the charges, provided
that in fixing the punishment the com
mission would set date for the hang
ing far enough in the future to afford
him an opportunity Of preparing him
self for death and of his probably
dying natural death before the day
fixed.
81 called upon Secretary Stanton
and laid Wirz's proposition before
him, and made a personal request my
self that it be accepted. Dir. Stanton
thought favorably of it, and said he
thought the rest Of the cabinet would
have no besitanoy in accepting it. He
said there would be cabinet council
that day at o'clock, and that he
would lay the matter before the Cabi~
net, and would.inlorm me later in the
day what action had been taken in the
premises. After the meeting | called
upon him when he informed me that
the other members had refused to liz.
ten to any suSh proposition as that
made by Wirz. / asked him what
reasons they gave, and he made this
reply-I will never forget it THE
people of the North demand the blood
Of some one for the cruelties prectieed
at Andersonville. Wirz has only two
months to live. Let's take this man
and shed his blood, and by doing spare
the life Of better man, and then he
mentioned the names Of three men
Lee, Davis, and Stephens Of Georgia.
II saw that there was nothing more
to be done, and | communicated this
fact to Wirz, who began preparing
himself to meet his Maker. In less
than two weeks he had been convicted.
was sentenced November 9th, and
hanged next day. | felt tkat Wirz
had simply suffered for others, and he
knew it, but he died without a muir.
muir, save at the ignominy of the
means. Impressed with this belief.
when | met President johnson, "a short
time afterward, | alluded to Wirz's
proposition to Stanton, and asked him
for my own satisfaction, why the Cabs
met had not favored it. as did Secre-
tary Stanton. Mr.. Johuson's reply
was most startling and surprising to
me. What, said he, Stanton in favor
of the proposition2' and he seemed
greatly astonished. Why, Stanton
was The only member Of the Cabinet
opposed to it. The rest of the Oabi-
net favored it and were about to &C.,
ceptit, when Stanton threatened to
resign if the proposition was enter
tanned for a moment. Mr.. StantOn's
services could not be dispensed with,
and rather than have him resign we
allowed the matter to drop.
did your interest in Wirz's case
end here2" was asked Of Father Hans
ilton.
Mot my interest, but my inquiries
did, The times were trOublous, and
the terrors Of Andersonville were too
Odious at the North to render prudent
or possible any righting of the wrong.
| have never said anything Of this,
except con6dentially to one or two
friends, but | will say now that Wirz
was sacrificed, and that he died 20
save one of the leaders of the Con,
federaoy.'
AN IDEAL DRINK.