Evening star., 1926-08-22
Proceedings at the Trial Of Wirz
Are Found to Be of Unusual Interest
Attempt
i Described bv Rambler

seriously wounded at the battle OF
Seven Pines, near Richmond. and
have nearly lost the use Of my right
arm. Unfit for field duty. I was or
dered to report to Brevet Maj. Gen.
John Fl. Winder. in charge of Federal
prisoners of war. who ordered me to
take charge Of a prison in Tusca-
loosa. Ala. MY health failing me, I
applied for furlough and went to
Europe from whence + returned In
February 1865. / was then ordered
to report to the commandant Of the
military prison at Andersonville. Ga.
who assigned me to the command of
the interior Of the prison. The duties
I had to perform were arduous and
unpleasant and / am satisfied that
no man can or will justly blame me
for things that happened here and
which were beyond my power to
control. / do not think that I ought
to be held responsible for the short
ness of rations. for the overcrowded
state of the prison (Which was of
itself a prolific source of fearful
mortality, for the inadequate sup
plies of clothing. want Of shelter etc.
Still, / now bear the odium, and men
who were prisoners have seemed to
WI Odh NhCh $NnoOHANC 0pOAA hAO AOi
what they have SUFFERED. who was
only the medium, or, I may better
say. the tool. in the hands of my
superiors. This is my condition. I
am man of family. I lost all my
property when the Federal Army
besieged Vicksburg. have no money
at present to go to any place. and
even if / had, know of no place
where can go. My life is in danger
and most respectfully ask of you
help and relief. If you. will be so
generous as to give me some sort
of safe conduct. or, what. L should
greatly prefer. guard to protect
myself and family against violence,
should be thankful to you and you
may rest assured that your protec-
ton will not be given to one who is
unworthy of it. My intention Is to
return with my family to Europe as
soon as ! can make the arrange
ments." ...
THIS is the best the Rambler can
do today with the Wirz-Ol
things that press for attention. A
good many letters come to the
Rambler, and he often receives one
which he believes more interesting
than anything he writes. Here Is
one:
"My attention was called today to
an article by John Leo Coonz In
last Sundays Star describing the
finding of a sword and old letters
in the corner house of the Seven
buildings corner Nineteenth and
PENNSYLVANIA avenue. My father.
Mai. Alfred Mordecai. occupied one
of the houses in that row. think
the one used by a real estate firm.
1t had three windows in our nursery,
second stsry front. from which [
watched the torchlight procession
which conducted the remains OF
President w. II. Harrison from the
White House to lie in state in the
rotunda of the Capitol. Our next
door neighbor was Robert Walker.
then. Secretary of State. and his
clever mother in law. Mrs. Richard
Ra che, with her numerous family
Her neighbors were Mr.. and Mrs.
Monroe, parents of Columbus Mon
roe. Our next door neighbor. nearer
Nineteenth street. was Capt. French
Forrest. Do you think that the sword
said to have been found could have
belonged TO him or to my father?
Can YOU tell me If the buildings are
to be torn down? Hoping you are
well. with kindeat regards from your
old friend, ROSA MORDECAl.