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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Role - SheetProsecution Team


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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Role - SheetMilitary Tribunal Member


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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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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WitnessDr. John C. Bates


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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WitnessDr. M.M. Marsh


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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WitnessFelix de la Baume


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


WitnessFrank Maddox - African American Prisoner


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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WitnessMiss Mary Rawson


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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WitnessNazareth Allen - Guard, 3rd GA Reserves


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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WitnessFather Peter Whelan


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.

17


WitnessSgt. Major Robert Kellogg


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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WitnessSamuel Hall


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


WitnessW. D. Hammock - Guard, 55th GA Inf.


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.

20


WitnessWilliam Bull


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.

21


DefendantCaptain Henry Wirz


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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