Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-21
A BIT OF SECRET HISTORY.
The Trial OF Captain wir1. OF Anderson
vile Prison-Father Hamilton's
Strange Story.

The Trial or Captain VIII. OF AnuehsoH-
vile Prison-Father Hamilton's
Strange Story.
LOUIsvLLE.( October 1s-The Rev.
William John Hamilton. rector OF the
cathedral at Mobile, Ala, who was one
OF the four priests admitted 70 the stock
ade at Andersonville prison. 20 minister
20 diving soldiers, IS in Louisville, visiting
Bishop McCloskey Father Hamilton was
one OF Wirz's witnesses during the trial
IN November, 1855. and he related today
some OF the secret history OF the trial
that has never before been heard Father
Hamilton. who IS a benevolent looking
man OF 30. was constantly at Anderson
vile after the carnival OF death COM
nnenced. and while he admits the horrors
and cruelties. he defends Wirz. who. he
saws. was the most humane keeper OF
prison he ever met. and was constantly
assisting In acts Of charity which would
have sent him TO the front II discovered
BY his superiors.
.It Is true" said Father Hamilton,
ssthat the sufferings among the prisoners
were terrible. but Wirz. poor fellow, was
no more responsible than ]. and so when
he was arraigned in August, 1855. went
on 20 Washington 10 do what I could
IN his behalf. During the trial Captain
WIrz was suffering from various diseases
and wounds. and he was carried to and
from the court room by four marines A
medical commission had been appointed
70 examine Wirz. and this examination
resulted in the conclusion that he could
not possibly live longer than two months
At the furthest This information ] OBJ
tanned through a friend. and felt IL my
duty 10 fmpart a 70 Wirz that he might
prepare himself for the next world. This
was about two weeks before the end OF
his trial He received the information
calmly, and then made a request OF me-
which I shall never forget. he said he
realized that his conviction and condemn
alton TO death was foregone conclusion
and that he had no reason to think other
wise. I agreed with him that on account
OF the feeling existing In the north he
would certainly be condemned TO death.
he then requested me TO call upon Sec
rotary Stanton and say that he was will
ing 70 plead guilty TO the charges, pro-
vided that IN fixing the punishment the
commission would set a date for the
hanging far enough in the future to af-
ford him an opportunity Of preparing
himself Tor death and OF his probably
diving a natural death before the day
fixed.
Il called upon Secretary Stanton and
laid Virus proposition before him, and
made a personal request myself that IL be
accepted Mr. Stanton thought favoraoly
Of IL, and said he thought the rest OF the
cabinet would have no hesitancy In &C
cepting f. He said there was to be a
cabinet council that day at one o'clock,
and that he would lay the matter before
the cabinet and would inform 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 listen 10
any such propositions as that made By
Wirz. I asked him what reasons they
gave. and he made this reply; viii never
forget II: The people Of the north de-
mand the blood OF some one for the cru
elites practiced at Andersonville. Wirz
has only two months TO live. Let's take
this man and shed his blood and by doing
50 we spare the life OF a better man.
and then he mentioned the names Of three
men-Lee. Davis and Stephens Of Geor-
gia-
I saw that there was nothing more
70 be done, and I communicated this fact
70 Wirx. who began preparing himself TO
meet his Maker. In less than two weeks
he had been convicted. was sentenced
November eth and hanged next day
felt that Wirx had simply suffered for
others. and he knew Il, but he died with
out a murmur. save at the ignominy Of
the means. Impressed with this belief,
4 when I met President Johnson a short
tine afterward alluded 70 Wirz's propo-
sition 10 Stanton and asked him for my
s own satisfaction why the cabinet had
not favored II as did Secretary Stanton.
Mr. JohnsOn's reply was most startling
and surprising 20 me. What said he,
Stanton In favor OF the prOposiuong'
and he seemed greatly astonished. Why
Stanton was the only member Of the
cabinet opposed 20 IL. The rest Of the
cabinet favored Il and were about TO
accept II when Stanton threatened TO
resign II the proposition was entertained
for a moment. Mr.. Stanton's services
could not very well be dispensed with,
and rather than have him resign we al
lowed the matter 70 drop"
Ibid vour interest IN IVIrzsz case end
hereT was asked OF Father Hamilton.
mot my interest. but my inquiries did.
The times were troublous. and the terrors
Of Ancersonville were too odiOus at the
north TO render prudent or possible any
Fighting OF the wrong have never said
anything Of this. except confidentially
20 one OF two friends. but I viii say now
that Wirz was sacrificed and that he died
20 save one OF the leaders OF the Con-
federacy-"
The Hon. James Speed, the attorney
general at the time Of Wirz's trial SAYS
he never heard OF the proposition de-
scribed BY Hamilton. He says. however
there were several cabinet meetings at
that period at which he was not present.
he does not believe the story.
IL was the providence OF Almighty God
that the wrath Of man was stayed where
the matter finally ended The victors
who sat in judgment were evidently
blOodthirsty and bent on deeds OF re-
venEe- Well do recollect the dread and
horror that prevailed all over the land
when Wirz and others were hung!