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Transcript of Role - Sheet The Trial of Henry Wirz Mock Trial … National Historic Site National Park Service...
Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Role - SheetDefense Team
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
YouarethedefenseteamforCaptainHenryWirz.YouareacivilianattorneythathasbeenassignedbytheUnitedStatesgovernmenttodefendWirzagainstchargesthatheviolatedthelawsofwar.YoumustconvincethemembersofthemilitarytribunalthatalthoughconditionswerebadatAndersonville,HenryWirzdidthebesthecouldunderthecircumstancesanddidnotintentionallymistreatprisonersorviolatethelawsofwar.Yourcase: 1.Capt.HenryWirzdidnothavecommandofthehospitalor themedicalcareatAndersonville.Surgeonsandotherofficers thatoutrankedWirzwereresponsibleforthosefunctions.
2.Capt.HenryWirzwasnotresponsibleforwhowassentto Andersonville;thereforehecannotbeheldresponsibleforthe overcrowding. 3.Althoughtherewereshortagesoffoodandclothing,Capt. HenryWirzdidthebesthecouldtoensurethatthesesupplies weregiventotheprisonersinafairway.Hewasnotresponsible fortheshortages.Theseresultedfromthedeteriorating economyoftheConfederacyattheendofthewar.
4.Capt.HenryWirzdidnotbeat,kill,ortortureprisoners, ororderothersunderhiscommandtodoso. 5.Capt.HenryWirzwasamemberoftheConfederateArmy, andthereforecannotbeheldontrialbytheUnitedStatesArmy, whichhewasnotamemberof.
Priortothedayofthetrial,youwillwanttocarefullyreadeachwitness’stestimoniesandprepareyourquestionsforeachwitnessinadvance.Youshouldaskquestionsthathighlightpointsthatproveyourcase.Youcannotaskquestionsthatarenotaddressedaspartofthewitness’statements.Ifyouareactingasapartofadefenseteam,youmayconsiderdividingthistaskupamongstthemembersofyourteam.Atappropriatetimesduringyourquestioningofwitnesses,youmaywanttoshowmembersofthemilitarytribunalpiecesofevidencethatsupportyourcase.
Louis Schade - Defense Attorney for Henry Wirz
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Role - SheetProsecution Team
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
YouareaveteranofficeroftheUnionArmyduringtheCivilWar.YourtaskistoprosecuteHenryWirz.YoumustconvincethejurythatthelawsofwarwereviolatedandthatHenryWirzisresponsiblefortheseviolationsthatresultedinthedeathsofnearly13,000Americansoldiersandthesufferingsofthousandsmore.
Yourcase:
1.HenryWirzfailedtoprovideadequatemedicalcaretothe prisoners.
2.HenryWirzintentionallywithheldfood,clothing,and shelterfromtheprisoners.
3.HenryWirzpersonallymistreatedprisonersbycursingat, beating,torturing,orkillingprisoners,orbyorderingothersto doso.
4.WhathappenedatAndersonvilleisanatrocity;afailureof humanrightstobeprotected,andascommanderof Andersonville,HenryWirzshouldbearthatresponsibility.
Priortothedayofthetrial,youwillwanttocarefullyreadeachwitness’stestimoniesandprepareyourquestionsforeachwitnessinadvance.Youshouldaskquestionsthathighlightpointsthatproveyourcase.Youcannotaskquestionsthatarenotaddressedaspartofthewitness’statements.Ifyouareactingasapartofaprosecutionteam,youmayconsiderdividingthistaskupamongstthemembersofyourteam.Atappropriatetimesduringyourquestioningofwitnesses,youmaywanttoshowmembersofthemilitarytribunalpiecesofevidencethatsupportyourcase.
Norton Park ChipmanChief Prosector & Judge AdvocateThe Trial of Henry Wirz
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Role - SheetMilitary Tribunal Member
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
YouareamemberofthemilitarytribunalthathasbeenassignedtohearthecaseofHenryWirz.Yourjobistohearthecaseandserveasajury.Thedefendant,CaptainHenryWirz(CSA),hasbeenchargedwithviolatingthelawsofwar,andiffoundguiltyhewillbesentencedtohang.Asamilitarytribunalmember,keepinmindthatyouareanofficerintheUnitedStatesArmy.YouhavespentthelastfouryearsfightingagainsttheConfederateArmy.CaptainWirzwasamemberofthisarmythatyouwerefightingagainst,althoughthewarisovernow.
Amilitarytribunalisdifferentfromatraditionalciviliancourtroom.YouhaveheardofHenryWirzandyouhavereadnewspaperaccountsofhowbadAndersonvillewas.YoumaybeenteringthistribunalwithabiasagainstHenryWirz,butbeopentochangingyourmind.Anotherdifferenceisthatunlikeatraditionaljurymember,youhavetheprivilegetospeakandaskquestionsoftheprosecutionandthedefense.
Yourtaskisto:
1.Takecarefulnotesandpayattentiontobothsidesofthe argument
2.Askquestionsoftheprosecutionandthedefenseifyoufeelit isnecessary.
3.WeighalloftheevidenceanddecideifHenryWirzviolated thelawsofwar.Youwillvoteonthis.Forthepurposesofthis mocktrial,asimplemajorityisallthatisnecessarytoconvict him.
Major General Lew WallaceChairman of the Military TribunalThe Trial of Henry Wirz
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
The WitnessesThe Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
Alltogether,morethan135witnesseswerecalledtotestifyintheWirzTrial.Theseincludedformerprisoners,UnionandConfederateofficials,guards,andcivilianswhohadknowledgeofAndersonville.Forthepurposesofthisclassroomactivity,elevenhavebeenselected.TheirtestimoniespresentedinthismocktrialaretakendirectlyfromthehistoricWirzTrialtranscripts.Thesearetheiractualwords.Historianshaveoftenlabeledwitnessesaseitherdefenseorprosecutionwitnesses.However,manywitnesseswerecalledtotestifybybothsides.
Thewitnessesusedforthismocktrialare:
1.Dr.JohnBates-AConfederatedoctoratAndersonville.
2.Dr.M.M.Marsh-AUniondoctorwhoworkedfortheUSSanitaryCommission,chargedwithsendingsuppliesfortheprisoners.
3.FelixdelaBaume-Aformerprisoner,andPresidentoftherecentlyformedAndersonvilleSurvivors’Association.
4.FrankMaddox-Aformerprisoner.OneofthefewAfricanAmericansoldiersheldprisoneratAndersonville.
5.MaryRawson-AcivilianfromPlains,GAwhowasafrequentvisitortoAndersonville.
6.NazarethAllen-AguardatAndersonville.
7.FatherPeterWhelan-ACatholicpriestwhofrequentlyvisitedAndersonville
8.RobertKellogg-Aformerprisoner.Kelloggwascalledbyboththedefenseandtheprosecutionasakeywitness.Bothsidesconsideredhimverytrustworthy.
9.SamuelHall-AcivilianwholivednearAndersonville.
10.W.D.Hammock-AguardatAndersonville.
11.WilliamBull-AformerPrisoner
12.HenryWirz,Defendant,andformercommandantofthestockadeatCampSumterMilitaryPrisonatAndersonville,Georgia.
Sgt. Major Robert Kellogg, 16th CT Infantry.Both the prosecution and the defense considered Kellogg to be very honest, and both sides called him to testify as a key witness.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessDr. John C. Bates
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IhavebeenresidingforthepastfourorfiveyearsintheStateofGeorgia.Iampractitionerofmedicine,andhavebeenengagedinthatprofessionsince1850.IhavebeenondutyattheAndersonvilleprisonasactingassistantsurgeon.Iwasassignedthereonthe19thofSeptember,1864,andleftthereonthe26thofMarch,1865.
UpongoingtothehospitalIwentimmediatelytothewardtowhichIwasassigned,and,althoughIamnotanover-sensitiveman,ImustconfessIwasrathershockedattheappearanceofthings.Themenwerelyingpartiallynudeanddyingandlousy,aportionoftheminthesandandothersuponboardswhichhadbeenstuckuponlittleprops,prettywellcrowdedtogether,amajorityoftheminsmalltents.
Clothingwehadnone;thepatientscouldnotbefurnishedwithanyclothing,exceptthattheclothingofthedeadwasgenerallyappropriatedtotheliving.Wethushelpedthelivingalongaswellaswecould.
Themorningaftermakingmyfirsttourasofficeroftheday,Isatdownandmadeareport,thelanguageofwhichIdonotnowrecollect,butthesubstancewasbasedupontheconditioninwhichIfoundthehospital.Thatreportwassentup,andIbeinganoviceinmilitarymatters,forsomethingswhichIhadsaidinthatreportIreceivedawrittenreprimand.Icontinuedtomakethosereports,butIthinktheywerenotheeded.
IhadbeensooftenarrestedthatIthoughtitnecessarytosneakfoodtothepatients.Iwouldputapotatoinmypocketandwouldturnaroundandletitdroptothismanorothers.Ididnotwishtobeobservedbyanybody.WhenIfirstwentthere,Iunderstoodthatitwaspositivelyagainsttheorderstotakeanythingin.TheprisonersinthestockadeandthehospitalwerenotverywellprotectAstotheprisonersgenerally,theironlymeansofshelterfromthesunandrainweretheirblankets,iftheyhadcarriedanyalongwiththem.Iregardedthatlackofshelterasasourceofdisease.AtthetimeIcamethereIunderstoodthatGeneralWinderwasincommand,butshortlyafterwardsColonelGibbswas.CaptainWirzdidnothaveanythingtodowiththemedicaldepartmentthatIknewof.Ididnotrecognizehimashavinganyrightwhatevertodoso.Heneverinterferedwithmeinanyway.Ihavenohardfeelingtowardshim;healwaystreatedmeveryrespectfullyandkindly.
Imaysaythatwehadnomedicines.Theywerenumbered.IaskedDr.Shepherdaboutit.Hesaidthattheyhadnotmedicines,andthattheirformulasweremadeupofindigenousremedies;thatbythesenumbersitwaseasiertoprescribe;thatthereweresometimes80,sometimes150,andsometimes200casestoprescribefor,andthismeanswasadoptedinordertofacilitatematters.ForascurvycasewewouldorderspecificNo.14or24,asthecasemightbe.Ifeelmyselfsafeinsayingthatseventy-fivepercentofthosewhodiedmighthavebeensaved,hadthoseunfortunatemenbeenproperlycaredforastofood,clothing,bedding,&c.
Idesiretomakeasingleremarktorectifysomeinfluenceswhichhavebeenmadeinreferencetomyself.IthasbeenclaimedontheonehandthatIamhereasawitnessagainstCaptainWirz,andontheotherhandthatIamawitnessforhim.IwishsimplytosaythatIamheretotellthetruth,andIhavedoneitregardlessofconsequences.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessDr. M.M. Marsh
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
ForthelasttwoorthreeyearsIhavehadchargeoftheUnitedStatesSanitaryCommissionmattersintheStatesofFlorida,Georgia,andtheCarolinas.IwasstationedatBeaufort,SC.WhileIwasthere,wereceivedsanitarystoresforprisonersinthecustodyoftherebelgovernmentandpurchasedalsoofaUnitedStatesquartermaster…Iforwardedclothingandprovisions,sanitarystores,toAndersonville,GA,fortheuseoftheprisonersthere.Imadeamemorandumoftheamountofthearticlessentthere,orhaditmade…weweresendingtofiveotherpointsatthesametime…ImadealistofwhatwassenttoAndersonvillebetweenAugustandNovember1864…Thispaperissubmittedasevidence.
AportionofthesearticlesweresentinthemonthofJuly;butasmallportionofthem.Webegantosendthemquiteregularlyuptoaroundthe1stofNovember,1864.IhavenoevidencetheseletterswereeverreceivedatAndersonville;AllIknowrespectingitisthatIeitherpersonallyorthroughsomeagent–passedthestoresovertosomeagentoftheConfederategovernmenttoreceivethem.
IceasedtosendprovisionstoAndersonvilleinNovember;therecameanorderfromWashingtonforbiddingit.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessFelix de la Baume
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IwasinthemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStates,inthe39thNewYorkvolunteers.IwasprisonerofwaratAndersonvillefromJuly.8,1864,tillApril19,1865.Iknowtheprisoner,CaptainWirz.Onthe8thofJulyIarrivedatAndersonville,withthreeorfourhundredotherprisoners,mostofthemsickandwounded.WewerebroughtuptoCaptainWirz’sheadquarters.Theguardshadorderstoletnoneofusgotothewater.Oneoftheprisonerswasattackedwithepilepsyorfits;hefelldown;someofhisfriendsorneighborsstandingnearhimrandowntothecreekafterwater.FirstIheardashotfired,withoutseeingwhofiredit.AfterhearingthatshotfiredIlookeddowntotheleftandIsawCaptainWirzfiretwomoreshots,woundingtwomen.CaptainWirzhadarevolverinhishand.Iwasperhapstwentypacesdistantfromhim.IamcertainIsawCaptainWirzdischargethepistolinhishand.AfterthisCaptainWirzpointedouttheman,andsaid,“’ThatisthewayIgetridofyoudamnedsonsofbitches.”
ThefirsttimeIcameintothestockadeIreceivednotreatmentwhateverformywound.IshowedCaptainWirzmylegandtoldhimthatmywoundhadnotbeendressedsinceIleftRichmond,andIwishedforabandagebeforeIshouldgointothestockade.Hesaid,“I’llbedamnedifIdon’tsendeveryoneofyoutohell.”ThatwasbeforeIwasputintothestockade,onthe8thofJuly,intheforenoonabout11or12o’clock.
InthemonthofDecember1864,whenitwassoverycold,wedidnotreceiveanywoodinthehospital.Iobtainedtheparolepassofanotherprisoner.OnthatpassIusedtogooutsideofthehospitalenclosuretogatherupsomewood,soastohavesomefireinthetentwhereIstopped.Goingoutofthehospitaloneday,IsawamannamedEdler,aprivateinthe39thNewYorkvolunteers.Isawhimtied,withanironcollarroundhisneck,toapost.IheardthismansaysomethingtoCaptainWirz,whereuponCaptainWirzsaid,“Onewordmore,andIwillblowyourdamnedbraintohell,”holdingapistoltowardshishead.
Irememberaboutthehounds.InthemonthofSeptember,1864,Iwasallowedtogooutafterwood.AtthattimeCaptainWirzallowedsquadsoftwenty-fivetogooutafterwoodaboutamiledistantfromthestockade.IwentoutwithLouisHolm,ofthe5thNewYorkcavalry.WhenwecameoutHolmsuggestedthatweshouldhideourselvesandgotosomefarmtoobtainsomethingtoeat.HolmandIhidourselvesinaverylargetree,andremainedthereforoveranhour;thenweheardthedogsbark.Mycomradewastornbythedogsverybadly;wewerebroughtinbyasergeantandbythemenwhohadthedogs.CaptainWirzsentusbacktothestockadeandgaveorderstothesergeantofthedetachmentnottoletusgooutanymore.
Ihaveseenagreatmanymenshotinthestockadenearthedead-line,insidethedead-line;Imeanbetweenthedead-lineandtheinnerstockade,havingcrossedthedead-line,betweenthedeadlineandtheinnerstockade.Whenweweretherewedidnotknowonedayfromanother,andIcannotstatethedaydefinitely.IknowpositivelyoftwowhomImyselfsawkilledonthedead-linebythesentries;onewasafriend,andanotherwasacorporalofthe125thNewYork;Hewaskilledwhilereachingunderthedead-lineforcleanwater;Idonotknowtowhatcompanyhebelonged.
WhenIfirstwenttoAndersonvillewereceivedcorn-meal.Wereceivedasmuchasapint,sometimes,acup-full.Ireceivedthismealandabouttwoouncesofbaconaday.MostofthetimeIwasobligedtoeatthatmealraw,mixingitupwithwaterandsomesaltifwehadany.Wereceivedeverythreeorfourdaysthreeteaspoonfulsofsalt.Iwasobligedlikethousandsofotherstoeatthatmealandthatbaconraw.Menwhohadmoneycouldbuyfor25centsenoughwoodtocookacupofcoffeeormush.
Rumors have long persisted that Felix de la Baume was a fraud and a deserter from another unit. However, military service records indicate that Felix de la Baume, 39th New York was captured and held at Andersonville. After the war, many of the witnesses were attacked by Wirz supporters. De la Baume later became President of the Andersonville Survivors’ Association 13
Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessFrank Maddox - African American Prisoner
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IwasatAndersonville,GA,asaprisoner.Iwasthereaboutelevenmonths.IwastakenthereApril1,1864andIleftthereFebruary2,1865.WhenIwastakenthereIwasputinthestockadeandstayedthereabouttwomonths…Iwasthentakenoutandputtowork…buryingthedead…Wehelpedtoenlargethestockade.
IknowCaptainWirz.IheadCaptainWirzmakethreatsastowhathewoulddowithus.Onemorning…theysentustotheswamptoditch.Itwasverycoldandtheboysdidnotwanttogo.CaptainWirztoldthesergeantinchargeofus,ifwedidnotgo,totakeaclub,andkillthelastd----oneofus,andletthebuzzardseatus.Iamspeakingofthecoloredmen…Ididnotcomplain.Isawnouseincomplaining.Thosewhodidcomplaindidnotgetanythingdoneforthem.IheardmencomplaintoCaptainWirzabouttheirsufferingfromthecold…Onemorningthesergeantaskedhimtoletusgooutandgetsome[firewood].Hesaidhewasnotgoingtodoit;thathedidnotcaread----ifwealldied.ThesergeantintimatedtousthatCaptainWirzgavethemenathirtydays’furlougheverytimetheyshotaYankee.HewouldnevertreatusboysasCaptainWirzwantedhimtotreatus.Hewantedhimtobewhippingusandknockingusabout…CaptainWirzorderedhimtodoit.Ihaveseenhimmanytimeswhenhegavetheorders.Ilookedrightat[CaptWirz]whenthewordscameoutofhismouth.Ineversawcoloredmenputinthestocksorthechaingain.Whentheywantedtopunishthem,theywouldputthemacrossalogandwhippedthemhalftodeathandputthembacktowork…
CaptainWirzneverinflictedanypunishmentofanykindonmebuthedidtoothers.Onehehadwhipped.Iwasupattheofficeinthemorningtogetanorderforrationsfortheboyswhowouldbeoutatwork.HethoughtIwasthemanandcommencedtocurseme.ThesergeanttoldhimIwasnottheman,andcalledupIsaacHawkinsandaskedhimwhathehadbeendoing.Hetoldhimnothing.CaptainWirzhauledbackandknockedhimtothesideofthetentandtoldTurnertotakehim,striphim,andgivehimfivehundredlashes…theygavehimtwohundredfiftylashes…Themanwasthenloosed,andtakentotheblacksmithshop,andhadabouttwofeetofchainputonhim,andwassenttothegraveyardtowork,beingtoldthatifhestoppedfiveminutesduringtheday,hewouldgettwohundredfiftymore…IneversawCaptainWirzabuseanycoloredmenunlesstheyhaddonesomethingwrong;Ihaveseenhimhavesomeofthemwhipped,butwhethertheydidanythingwrongIcannottell…Iheardtherewerechargesagainstthem.
CaptainWirzwasoutinthegraveyardonedayinOctober1864;someofficerswereouttherewiththemandtheywerelookingatthemenwhohadbeeninoculated–howgreentheircornshadturned.CaptainWirzsaid,“TheG-DYankeeSonsofB----;”hehadgiventhemthelandtheyhadcomeouttofightfor,hehadgiventhemsixfeet.Hereferredtothosewhohaddiedfromvaccination;thatwasinOctober…IsawCaptainWirzinthegraveyardwiththesurgeonstwoorthreetimes;theywerelaughingovertheeffectsofthevaccinationoneday;thedoctorhadbeenexamining,andhadcutsomebodiesopenandhadsawedsomeheadsopen;insomecasesagreenstreakfromthearmhadextendedtothebody;theywerelaughingaboutitskillingthemenso;ImeanthesurgeonsandCaptainWirz…
Isawthirteenboxes(railroadboxcars)of[supplies]comehere[fromthenorth].IhelpedtounloadthemandtheminCaptainWirz’soffice.Idonotknowwhatbecameofthem.Theygavethemenatthecook-housesomeandsomeweresenttothehospital.Idonotknowwhatbecameofthebalance.IsawCaptainWirzwearingbluepantsandsanitarycommissionshirts.Weaskedhimforsomeoftheclothesandhewouldnotgivethemtous…
Maddox was a member of the 35th USCT. The United States Colored Troops (USCTs) consisted of both former slaves and African Americans who were born free. Although the official Confederate policy was to execute or sell into slavery captured USCTs, around one hundred African Americans were held prisoner at Andersonville. These men were used by the Confeder-ate command as labor outside the prison stockade. They did tasks ranging from burying the dead to building earthworks and prison buildings. Frank Maddox was one of four African American prisoners to testify at the Wirz Trial.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessMiss Mary Rawson
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IresideontheplainsofDura,Georgia.IhavebeenatAndersonville,Icannotsayexactlyhowmanytimes,whiletheUnionprisonerswerethere.IcommencedgoinginJanuary,1865.Igenerallywentaboutonceeverytwoweeks.Myobjectingoingtherewastofeedaprisoner.IsawCaptainWirzsometimeswhenIwentthere.IwasthereinthemonthofMarch,1865.Ihadonabrowndress.CaptainWirzneveratanytimerefusedordeniedmeanyprivilegeoftakingthingsintoprisonersthere.Hewasalwaysagreeable,andtoldmeIcouldbringanythingintotheprisonerIwasgoingtosee.IhadoneparticularprisonerIwasgoingtosee.WhenIfirstwentthereImetCaptainWirzatthedepot.Ithoughtthenhewasacolonel.IaskedhimifIcouldvisitaprisonerwhowassick.HetoldmeIcould.Atthattimehegaveapasstooneoftheparoledmenintheoffice.Mycharitywasconfinedtooneprisonerthere.HisnamewasPeterKean.Hebelongedtothe16thIowaregiment.Hewasaprivatesoldierinthestockade.Iusedtotieupabushelbasketandleaveit,andmyprisonersaidthatthatwouldlasthimtwoweeks.AftertwoweeksIwouldgoagain.ThecaptainalwaysrecognizedmeandaskedmeifIwasgoingtoseemyprisoner.Iwouldsay“Yes,”andIwouldcarryanotherbasketupandleaveit.Heneverrefusedme.Hegenerallytreatedmyprisoner,asIcalledhim,verycourteously.Hegavehimtheonlychairintheroom,andIsatonthebench.IneverheardofCaptainWirztreatinganyotherlady,whowentthere,inanunkindway.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessNazareth Allen - Guard, 3rd GA Reserves
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
Iknowtheprisoner,CaptainWirz;hewascommanderoftheprison.Ihaveseenthestocks,andseenmeninthem;Ihaveseenseveralputinthestocks,andsometenortwelveinthechain-gain;Iknowthatoneprisonerdiedinthechaingainorstocks;Iwon’tbecertainwhich,butIthinkitthestocks;IthinkitwassometimeAugust1864….ThestockswerebetweenCaptainWirz’sheadquartersandthestockade,ontheroadyouwouldtakegoingintothestockade. IsawaprisonerstepoutfromrankstospeaktoCaptainWirzforanexchangeintoamess,whentheywerecountingthemout…CaptianWirzorderedhimbackandthreatenedtoshoothim.Hedidnotshoothim;hethreatenedtoshootandhecursedhim.
Iknowagreatmanyprisonersdiedthere.Theyhadnosheltersinsidethestockademuchmorethantheymadeforthemselvesoutoftheirblanketsandpinetops.Iwasondutyatthestockadeasasentry.Ihadthemeansofobservingtheconditionofthecampinsidethestockade;IcouldseeitfromthestoopwhereIwas.Somefewhadsheltersmadeoutoftheirblanketsorsuchastheyhadbuiltthemselveswithpinetopswhichtheyhadcarriedin.TherewasnoothershelterthatIsaw…Aportionofthestockadenearthebranch(stream)wasaverymiry,boggy,muddyplace.Theswampwasnotcleanly…agooddealoffilthwentthroughthestockade.Thecook-housewasabovethestockadeandagooddealofwashingwasdoneupthebranch,consequentlyagooddealoffilthwentdown.Someof[our]campswereabove;someofthemwashedintothisstream.Someofthesinks(bathrooms)wereonthatstreamjustabovethestockade,onthesideofthehill.WhenheavyrainscameIshouldsupposesomeofitwentthroughthestockade.Sometimestheprisonersinthestockadewerecompelledtousethatwater…
Theprisonerswerecomplainingallthewhileinconsequenceoftheirtreatment;butIdon’tknowtowhomtheymadetheircomplaints.Imadecomplaints,aswellasothersoldiersoftherebel(Confederate)service.Wecomplainedmerelytoourownofficers,buttheycouldnothelpusanyaboutthat.InevercomplainedtoCaptainWirz…ColonelHarrisandColonelMoorewerethecolonelsofourregiment…Ourregimentwasnotcomposedofunhealthymen.Someofalltheregimentsweresickthere.Idon’tknowhowmanyweresick;Ihadnomeansofknowing;Ididn’tpayanyattentiontothehospital…Idonotknowwhogavetheofficersorderswheretolayoutourcampwhenwewentthere.Wecleanedupthegroundbyorderofourofficers.ColonelMoorecommandedustodoit.CaptainWirzhadnothingtodowiththelocatingofourcampthatIknowof.Idon’tknowthathehadanythingtodowithourmenwashingorbathinginthewaterthere.Hewascommanderoftheprison;hemighthavehadarighttohaveforbiddenit.Idon’tknowwhetherhehadtherighttointerferewithcommandofourcamp.Hewouldalwayssendanofficertoourcampforwhathewanted.Ineverknewhimtobeupthere.Ineverknewhimtobeupthere…
Iwasonguardorpicketdutyeveryotherday.Inevershotanyone;IneversawanyoneshotwhileIwasonduty.IgotorderswhenIwasonthestooptoshoottheprisonersiftheycrossedthedeadline.Ihadnoorderstoshootanybodyifhedidnotviolatesomepoliceregulation.Theshootingofanyonecrossingthedeadlinewaspartofthepoliceregulationoftheprison.Iwouldnothaveshotanyoneifhedidnotviolatesomepartofthatregulation…IfIwasguardingabodyofprisonersanywhere,smallorlarge,andtheydidnotobeyme,Iwouldthreatenthem.Iwouldthreatentobayonetthemorshootthem.WhenCaptainWirzthreatenedthesemenIsupposeitwasnotmorethatIoranyoneelsewouldd,iftheydidnotobeyme.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessFather Peter Whelan
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
Myofficeisthatofapriest;IwasinAndersonvillefromthe16thofJune,1864untilnearthe1stofOctober.
FatherHamiltonhadvisitedtheplaceinMay,seentheconditionoftheprisoners,andwrittentothebishopatSavannahtosendapriestthere.Heaskedmetogoandvisittheprisoners.AccordingtohisrequestIwent…Istayeduntilthevastportionoftheprisonerswereremovedtootherpoints;Iwouldhavestayedlongeriftheprisonershadbeenretained;mydutieswerethoseofaCatholicPriest–nothingmore;Ihadnocommissionfromthegovernment.Iwenttherevoluntarily,withoutpayorremunerationfurtherthanmerelytoreceiverations.Thesewerenearlythesamerationswhichthesoldierswhowereonguardtherereceived,andalsotheprisonersinthestockade.PerhapsImighthavehadsomethingmoreinquantity,butnotastoquality.Mylaborswereperformedinsidethestockadeandinthehospitaloutside.IneversawCaptainWirzinflictinganypersonalviolenceonanyprisoner;neitherdidIhearofitduringmystaythere.Imighthaveheardreportsthatheusedprofanelanguage,butIneversaworheardofhimusinganypersonalviolencesoastoproducedeath;itisthehighestprobabilitythatsuchathingcouldnothaveoccurredwithoutcomingtomyknowledge.
CaptainWirzaffordedmeeveryfacilitytovisittheprisonersandaffordthemanyreliefthatwasinmypower.Heneverputanyobstaclesinmyway,whetherphysicalorspiritual.Mymeansofgivingaidtothemwereverylimited.Butaffordedmeeveryfacilitywithregardtotheprisoners…Hegavemethefacilities,andthatfactwasevidenceofhiswillingnesstodoso.Sofarashiswillwasconcerned,thatwasanoperationofhisownmindofwhichIcouldhavenoknowledge.Healwaysdiditcheerfully.Heneverrefused.Henevershowedanyobjectiontogivemeatanytimeapasstogointothestockadeorhospital…Iborrowed$16,000andwentdowntoAndersonville.IspoketoCaptainWirzandhefreelygavemepermissiontopurchaseflourfortheprisoners.
IthinkIneversawCaptainWirzwithinthestockadeexceptthetimethemen(thesixRaiders)werehanged…Hewasalwayscalmandkindtome…Ihaveseenhimcommitnoviolence.Hemaysometimeshavespokenharshlytosomeoftheprisoners…TherehavebeensomeviolenceschargeduponhimherewhichIneverheardofbeingcommittedbyhim.Ineverheardofhiskillingaman,orstrikingamanwithapistol,orkickingamantodeath.DuringmytimeinthestockadeIneverheardofit.Ineverheard,eitherinsideoroutside,duringmystaythere,thathehadtakenthelifeofamanbyviolence;thatheshotamanorkickedhimtodeath.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessSgt. Major Robert Kellogg
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IwasatAndersonville,Georgia;Ienteredthereonthe3ddayofMay,1864,andleftthereonthe10thofSeptemberofthesameyear;Iwentwithabodyofprisoners;Ithinkthereweresomefourhundredofus;IwastakenfromPlymouth,NorthCarolina,toAndersonvillebyrailroad.
Weenteredtheprisononthe3dofMay,1864.Wherewasnoshelterprovidedforusatthattime,oratanyothertimewhilewewereintheprison.Wewerefortunateenoughtobeallowedtoretainourblankets,andwiththemweerectedshelterswhichprotectedusfromtheheatofthesun,butnotfromtherain.Theydidprotectusfromtherainforafewdays,butsoontheybecomesowornastobeutterlyuselessagainsttherain.Ofthefourhundredmencapturedwithme,nearlythreehundredaredead.
IhaveseenCaptainWirzintheprisonfrequently.Heusuallycameinmoreoftenthanotherwisemountedonhorseback.Hewouldrideinsidethedeadlineandexaminetheprison.Ineverheardhimgiveanyorders.Iwasinthestockadeallthetime;Ididnotgooutofitwiththeexceptionoffewtimesforwood.
Irecollectthedeadlinethere.Theeffectoftrespassinguponitwasdeath.Ihaveseenthepenaltyenforced-Ihaveseensentriesshoot.Icamenearbeingshotmyselfonce.Ihaveseensentriesfirefromthesentrypostsatmen.Ihaveseenthemfiringatmenwhoweredippingwateroutofthebrook,justunderthe“deadline.”Shootingbysentrieswasafrequentoccurrence;sothat,afterawhile,wedidnotnoticeitsomuchaswedidwhenwefirstwentthere.
Themostofthemenhadtodependonthebrookfortheirwater,andthat,atmanytimes,wasexceedinglyfilthy.Ihaveseenitcompletelycovered,almost,withfloatinggrease,anddirt,andoffal.Ihavegoneinbarefoot,whenitwassodirtythatIhadtogoout,asIwasgettingalloverwithgreaseandfilth.ThereweretwodaysIrememberwhenwegotnothingtoeat,the3dofJulyandthe11thofAugust;Idon’tremembernowthecause.Idon’tknowthatCaptainWirzhadanythingtodowithmynothavinganythingtoeat.
IdonotsaythatIneverheardanycomplaintmadewithregardtoCaptainWirz’sbrutaltreatmentofprisoners.Hischaracterwascruelandbrutal,andweallunderstoodthatperfectlywell.Weunderstoodthatfromhearinghislanguage,whichwasinsultingandprofane;andfromthegeneraltreatmentthereintheprison.Wesawthatwewerebadlytreatedandmiserablyprovidedfor;andwenaturallysupposedthathe,ascommandantoftheprison,was,inagreatdegreeatleast,responsibleforit;wesupposed,ofcoursethatsomebodywasresponsibleforit.
Idorememberoneinstanceofcruelty.SomeofSherman’sraiderswerecaptured,andwerebroughtintoprisonrobbedofnearlyeverything.Ihaveseensomeofthemwithmerelyashirtandpants,nohat,shoesorcoat;andIhaveheardstatementsofthosementhattheyweresearchedoutsidebeforetheywerebroughtintoprison,androbbedofeverything,eventheirpocket-knives,photographs,pictures,andthingsofnovalue;andIhaveheardthestatementofotherprisonerswhohavecomeintheredestituteofnearlyeverything,tellinghowtheyhavebeenrobbedofthem.CaptainWirzwasalwaysveryroughandbrutalinhismodeofconductingbusiness,sofarasIsaw;andhewasnotverychoiceinhisselectionofnamesfortheYankees.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessSamuel Hall
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IresideinMaconcounty,Georgia.Ihavelivedthereduringtherebellion,tenmilesfromAndersonville.Ivis-itedtheprisonatAndersonvillefrequently,fromAugust,1864,tillApril,1865.Iobservedtheconditionoftheprisonatadistance,nearenoughtogiveanopinionwithregardtotheconditionoftheprison.WhenIfirstsawitinthemonthofAugustitwasliterallycrammedandpacked;therewasscarcelyroomforlocomotion.Itwasdestituteofshelter,aswellasIcouldjudge,andatthattimetherewasgreatmortalityamongtheprison-ers.ImetCaptainWirzwhileIwasthere.IinferthathewasincommandoftheprisonfromcircumstanceswhichIcanstatetothecourt.WhenIsawhimhewaswritinginanofficethathadasignabovethedoorofit“CommandantoftheInteriorPrison.”
Iknowofaruleinthesouthernconfederacyduringtherebellioninregardtolevyingtithesofproducts;therewasanactoftheconfederatecongressthatrequiredone-tenthofallthefarmproductstobepaidinasatax.Itwasveryrigidlyenforced.Therewasaconsiderableamountofprovisionsaccumulatedinthatway.Mybusinesscalledmethroughthatpartofthecountry;Ipassedthroughitfrequently.Thegovernmenthadabutcher-peninOglethorpe,atwhichIthinkinthewinterof1863-’64theyslaughteredsome5,000headofhogs,perhapsalessnumber.Inthewinterof1864-’65porkwasslaughteredthere;whatamountIdon’tpre-ciselyremember.Theonlyothercommissary’sorquartermaster’sstoresthattheyhadthere,thatIknowof,werethosereceivedfromthetithes,whichwerebacon,corn,oats,fodder,wheat,peeledpeas,groundpeas,perhapssirup.Thestoreswerehauledoffasrapidlyastheyweregatheredtotherailroaddepots,andsenttothearmiesofTennesseeandVirginia.OglethorpeisabouttenmilesfromAndersonville.Idonotthinkthattheone-tenthwhichtheyimpressedinthatwaycouldhavesuppliedtheenormouswantsoftheconfederategovernment;Iknowitcouldnot..
IresideatOglethorpe,inMaconcounty;itisnorthwardfromAndersonville.IwasatAndersonvilleseveraltimesinAugust;Idon’tknowhowmanytimes.IwasinsidetheprisonlastDecember;itwasatthattimeliter-allycrammed.Icanformnoestimateofhowmanywereinsideexceptfromwhattheofficerstoldme.Ineversawmenascloselypackedastheywere.IonlyknowfromwhatGeneralWindertoldmeastohowtheycametobethereatthattime.GeneralWinderstatedtomethatthatprisonwasbuiltfortheaccommodationofabout10,000men;thatbeforeitwascompletedtheprisonersatRichmondandotherpointsinVirginiawereextremelyunsafe,byreasonofaraid;theywererushedoutfromLibby,BelleIslandandelsewhere,andputintothatprison.Heregrettedthatitwassocrowded;hewantedtobuildotherprisons,andstatedthatbewasproceedingtodoitasrapidlyasthemeansathiscommandwouldenablehimtodoso.
Hespokeaboutthedeficiencyofhismeans;hestatedthathecouldnotgetthetimber,thathecouldnotgetthelabor,thathehadimpressedallthesawmillsinthatcountrythathecouldimpress;thathehadgottimberfromeveryquarterwherehecouldgetit,andthathecouldnotevenfurnishthosewhoweretherewithshel-ter.Igotapasstogoinsidethestockade.Itwascertainlynecessarytohavethatpasssystem.Ifhehadallowedintercoursewiththeprisonersfromeverybodyoutside,Idon’tsupposehecouldhavekeptthemthereverylong.ThatIthinkmustbeobvious.
IamnotanativeofGeorgia;IamanativeofSouthCarolina,butIhaveresidedinGeorgiaforthirtyyears.SofarasIsaw,theprisonersinsidethestockadeatAndersonvillehadnoshelteratallexceptsuchastheymadethemselvesbydiggingholesandputtingupblankets.FromtheroadIhaveseentheguardcampswithloghuts,brusharbors,andthingsofthatsortputup.Theyhadmoreshelterthantheprisoners. 19
Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessW. D. Hammock - Guard, 55th GA Inf.
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IwenttoAndersonvilleonthe14thofFebruary1864andleftonthe7thofApril1865.Iwasoverayearthere.Iwasdetailedonthe9thofJuly1864,andreportedtoCaptainWirzthenextday.IdidnotshootprisonersatAndersonville.Isawamanwhowasshot,butdidnotseehimshot;Isawhimdirectlyafterwards.Ihaveseenothermenshotbesidesthatone.IheardofitandIsawthemen.CaptainWirzneverorderedmetoshootprisoners,nordidheeverpromisetogivemeafurloughforshootingaprisoner. WhenwehadordersCaptainWirzwouldorderustoreadthemtotheninetiesinsidethestockade;sometimeswewouldgivethemtothesergeantoftheninetytoread,andifwehadenough,wewouldgiveeachdivisionacopy.Allordersconnectedwiththeprisonwerepublishedthere.Ididnotknowanythingaboutanyordersbeinggiveninrelationtoparticularpartsofthestockade.Ineverreceivedanyordersordirectionsinregardtothestockade…Therewasageneralorderthatprisonersshouldnotcrossthedeadline.
OurinstructionsfromCaptainWirzweretocalltheroll…iftheirnumberwasnotcorrect,andthesergeantcouldnotaccountforthem,weweretojustgoalongandleavethemstandingtheyuntiltheygotcorrect…Theorderwasthatiftheycouldnotaccountforthementheywouldlosetheirrations.Iknowthatsomemenwhowerecalled“Stoneman’sRaiders”weresearched,andonesquadbeforethat.Idon’tknowwheretheycamefrom;theirknapsacksweretakenfromthem…IneverreceivedanyordersfromCaptainWirztotakeawayanyman’sblanket,clothing,oranythingofthatkind,ortodepriveamanofanyothercomfortthathehad,unlesstheywere“Stoneman’sRaiders…”Iunderstoodtheorderstosearch“Stoneman’sRaiders”camefromGeneralWinder.
IknowsomethingaboutCaptainWirzbeingabsentforatime.HelefttheresometimeaboutthelastofJuly;DavistookcommandsometimeaboutthelastofJuly,andCaptainWirzdidnotreturntillperhapsthelastofAugust…IsawCaptainWirzinSeptember,helookedsickandfeebleandbad.Hewasinafeebleconditionbeforehegaveupassick.
CaptainWirznevershotorbeatorkickedaprisonerofwarwhileIwasondutytheretomyknowledge.IhavesaidthatIhaveseenhimtakeholdofmenlikeanyofficerwould,whenthemenwerestandinginfullranks,anddrawthemtotheirplacesiftheywerenotexactlyright.Hegenerallyspokeveryshorttothem.Hedidnotspeakkindlytoanybody;healwaysspokeshort.Hewasveryprofane,oneoftheprofanestmenIeversaw.Hehadaveryseveretemper.Ineversawhimmistreataprisonerofwar…Iamnotpositivethathecursedhimatthesametime,butitismorethanlikelyhedid,becausethatwashisnaturalstyleofconversation…Ihaveseenapistolinhishandagoodmanytimes.IdonotknowthatIeversawhimdrawit;Iknowhewoulddrawitforawholesquad,andwouldthreatentoshootthemiftheydidnotdosoandso;butIdonotthinkIeversawhimdrawitononeman.
Confederatesoldiersweretreatedinthesamewayasfederalprisoners,withtheexceptionoftheirbeingchainedtogether.IknowthatConfederatesoldiershavehadonballandchain,butIhgavenotseenthemchainedtooneanother.IneversawConfederatesoldiersinachain-gaing,butIhaveseenthemwithballonchainon.Ihaveseentheminthestocks…IsawConfederatesoldiersthereveryoften…Theytookabarrel,knockedoutoneheadofit,cutaholeintheotherlargeenoughforaman’sheadtogothrough,andputitonthem.Thatpunishmentwasinflictedbyorderofcourt-martial. Someclothescametherebythesanitarycommission,markedassuch,butIdonotrecollectwhattimetheycame.Ididnotwearanyofthem;CaptainWirznevergavemeanythinginhislife…Ineverobtainedanyclothinginthatway;Idon’tknowanyoftheConfedeatesoldersthatdid.IhaveseenConfederatesoldierswearthem,buttheyneverprocuredthemfromCaptainWirz;Ithinkalloftheparoledprisonersdrewthem.Iwastherewhentheywentintogettheirsuitsofclothes.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
WitnessWilliam Bull
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IhavebeeninthemilitaryserviceoftheUnitedStatesinCompanyA,MeansIndependentLondonRangers,fromtheStateofVirginia.Theywereloyal.IwasaprisoneratAndersonville.WhenIgotthereIwasputinthestockade…Ithengotoutonparole.
IwasatthedepotinAndersonvilleinJanuary,February,andMarch,1865.Isawstorehousesthere.Therewasplentyofpork,beans,andpeasinthem.Isawvegetablesoutsidethestockadeduringthesummerof1864forsale.Thearticleswerecabbage,corn,andpotatoes.Isawmelonsandpeachestoo.IhelpedcarryabarrelofrottenporkfromCaptainWirz’shousetothedepot.Itwasrotten,andstunkbad,andwasplacedamongtherationsthatweresentintothestockade.Ihelpedtotakebackabarreloffreshporkinplaceofit.TheporkwasexchangedbyorderofCaptainWirz.IworkedforColonelThomas,nextdoor,andwassentintohelptakeitdown.Thebadporkwasputintoapile,andwasissuedoutthatafternoontothestockade. Isawsanitaryclothingthere.Outofeveryhundredmenabouttengotalittle–pantsorsomethingofthatkind.Isawrebelshaveiton–pants,shoes,andblankets.Idonotknowhowtheygotthem.Isawsomerebelsergeantshavethem…TheclothingwasbroughttherewhileweweregettingoutoftherouteofSherman.Itwasdistributedinthehospital;andIsupposethatwhichwasinCaptainWirz’shandswastheremainsofwhatwasnotgivenout.IsawthisclothingonConfederatesoldiers.Isupposethesegotthemfromtheboxes.Isawsomeofthemwearingsanitaryshoes.Isawthreeorfoureverydaywithanewpairofshoeson.CaptainWirzhadaboutahalfdozenboxesinhishouse.Ithinksomewereordinaryshoeboxesandsomeclothingboxes.Ilookedintoonlyone.
CaptainWirzgavemeorders,whenIwenttoColonelThomas’shouse,nottogointohishouse.Mrs.ThomasThomas,theladyIwasworkingfor,toldmeonedaytogooverthere.ItoldherwhatCaptainWirzhadsaid.Shesaidthatitmadenodifference,andshesentmeoverwithanote.IpassedthroughtwoorthreeroomsinCaptainWirz’shouse,andinoneroomIsawtwoorthreeboxes.Ihadheardthathehadsomeshoesthere.Ilookedintooneboxandsawsomesanitaryshoesinit.Idonotknowwhatwasintheotherboxes.Isawsanitaryshoesonhis[slave]’sfeetwhichhehadgiventoher.Isawtwoorthreepairthatshehadgot.
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Andersonville National Historic Site National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
DefendantCaptain Henry Wirz
The Trial of Henry WirzMock Trial Curriculum
IamheretoanswerforallmyofficialandpersonalactsatAndersonville,andifIcanconvincethiscourtthattheyhavebeenvoidofoffensebeforeGodandman,ItrustthatIshallnotbeheldresponsiblefortheofficialorpersonalmisdeedsofothers.ThatisallIask.Bymyownactsletmebejudged,andiftheyhavebeensuchastowarrantmyconvictiononanyoneofthechargesorspecificationspreferredagainstme,letmebevisitedwithpunishmentcommensurate,withtheoffense.Idonotaskmercy,butIdemandjustice.
Ibelievethatthatwhichtheproofoftheexistenceofaconspiracyistheexpressionattributedtomebysomeofthewitnesses,thatIwasofmoreservicetotheconfederategovernmentthananyregimentatthefront,connectedwithequallywickedandsignificantexpressionsattributedtoGeneralWinder,GeneralHowellCobb,andCaptainW.S.Winder.GeneralWinderhasgonetothegreatjudgmentseattoanswerforallhisthoughts,words,anddeeds;andIsurelyamnottobeheldculpableforthem.
IthinkImayalsoclaimasaself-evidentproposition,thatifI,asubordinateofficer,merelyobeyedthelegalordersofmysuperiorsinthedischargeofmyofficialduties,Icannotbeheldresponsibleforthemotiveswhichdictatedsuchorders,andifIoversteppedthem,violatingthelawsofwarandoutraginghumanity,Iamtobetriedandpunishedaccordingtothemeasureofmyoffense.Aswellmighteverygeneral,colonel,andcaptainintherebelservicebeheldcriminallyresponsibleasaco-conspiratorwiththechiefsoftherebellionasI,whosimplyheldasubordinatepositionatAndersonville,beheldtoanswerwithmylifeforthemotiveswhichmayormaynothaveinspiredmysuperiorofficers.ForallthesecausesIhumbly,butconfidentlysubmitthatonthefirstchargeaverdictof“notguilty”mustberendered. Inowcometothesecondcharge:AmIthepersonwho,frommypositionatAndersonville,shouldproperlybeheldaccountableforthecrowdedconditionofthestockade,thewantofshelter,theunwholesomenessoffood,theimpurityofthewater,theinadequacyofhospitalaccommodation,andthelackofmedicineandmedicalsupplies,allwhichcausescombinedledtothedreadfulmortalitywhichprevailedatthatplace?Theonlyquestionwithmehere,asitisallthroughthecase,is,wasItobeblamedfortheexistenceofthosethings?IfIhaveviolatedthelawsofwar,ifIhaveoutragedhumanity,ifIhaveperpetratedanyofthemurdersoratrocitieslaidtomycharge,letmesuffer.Apoorsubordinateofficershouldnothavehadtheordinaryperformanceofhisroutinedutiestreatedandcharacterizedasproofofhisbeingaconspirator;norshouldhehavebeencalledupontobearuponhisover-burdenedshouldersthefaultsormisdeedsofothers.
IwasnotthemonsterthatIhavebeendepictedasbeing;thatIdidnotcauseordelightinthesadspectacleofthesufferings,woes,anddeathofUnionprisoners;thatIdidnotcontributetotheirsufferings,butthat,onthecontrary,Ididwhatlittlelayinmypowertodiminishoralleviatethem.Astothechargeofmurder,itcannotbeexpectedthatIshouldbeabletodefendmyselfagainstthevagueallegations,themurky,foggy,indefinite,andcontradictorytestimony,inwhichthesocalledmurdersarewrapped.Thetruthinthismatteristobefound,asusual,midwaybetweenthetwopoints.
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