Evening Star Newspaper, November 10, 1865, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR 18 PUBLISUED DAILY, (EXORPT SUNDAY,) AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Southwest corner of Penn's avenue and 11th street, By W. D. WALLAOH. ——_o——— The STAR is served by the carriers to their subceribers Im the Uity and District at Tzn CENTS PZR WEEK. Copies at the counter, with or witheut wrappers, Two Usnts each. PRies rox Matting :—Three months, One and Fifty Cents; six months, Three Doi- year, Five Dollars. No papers are | from the office longer than paid for. The WEEKLY STAR—pubiished on Friday Morning—O©ne Dollar and a Half a year- AMUSEMENTS. eee cenit nks aide emma eaieanna an GROVER’S NEW THEATER, Pennsylvanta aveane. near Willard’s Hotel. LEONARD GROVER & CO.....ccssssonsesDITOCtORS LEONARD GROVER......C. D. HESS, E. LAMB... soe +-+-Stage Manager IMMENSE SUCCESS Of Bonreicault’* Great Sensational Life Drama, vompricing a Prologue and Five Acts, entitled THE STREETS OF NEW YORK, Produced upon the ntost hberal scale, with ali une . ects of scenery. music, leaax, &«.. which have contributed to its immense success in New York, anda CAST OF CHARACTERS h carnot be equaled there or elsewhere. ud Matinee Satarday afterneon, at 30 cents CANTERBURY. Cerner Pennsy! avenue and Ninth street. GPORGE LEa....... -weeole Proprietor. TO-NIGHT, The melo dramatic spectacle of THE BANDIT’S VENGEANCB! with uew scenery, properties, dresses, &c. First week of the beantiful daneers, ROBLNSON SISTERS. Second week of M°LLE ROSA. Supported Ly the entire new Ballet Tronpe. Twenty beautifol Young Ladies in the ballets of MAY DAY SPORTS AND THE BELLE OF STAMBOUL! LAST WEEK OF JOSH BART. MATINEE ON SATURDAY! SKOFS. J. W. & HP. KREIS’ DANUING ACADEMY, PARKER'S HALL, Pennsylvania avenue, between 6th and 7th sts., Opposite Metropolitan Hotel, Those desiring to enter cam de so now, as we are continvally forming new classes the quarter commencing with the first lesson. Alb in- formation in regard to terms, &c.,can be had by applying as above ; Days and Hours of Twition: For Ladies, Misses and Masters, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. from 3 to o'clock. pe For Gentlemen, Tuesday and Friday evenings, 2 5 racticing Assemblies every Thursday evening. Private iuetroctiou given to suit convenience those desiring Circulars can be had at J. F. Ellis’; Phil Scicmon’s, aud other bosk and music stores; by appiving at the Academy during the hours of 02. m. tol p.m. from 3 to 5 aud 7 to 10 p. m., uring the hours of tuition. A note addressed to the Academy will meet with tention. oc $-3f PERSONAL. A SARNES. ‘Vorty genre special attestion to A . or" ears jor 1 secret diseases. "Washington Build- No. 12,corner Penna. ave. and 7th ion free. oc 30-3w iA RLES—You did right in leaving that STU- Cua ens going to Dx. LEON. I told or the eure c ing. Koc Consult ow be was the only ene who could cure you in an onorable manner and not swindle you. 0c 25-Im* QTRANGERS and others desiring the services of a first class Physician, should consult Dr. ON. 240 Penna. avenue, between 4% and 6ta reets. He guarantees seientifie treatment, and 2 radical! cure of all AcctE and Cuaonic diseases of both sexes, in the shortest time possible. General cases cured in frem tw hours to two Young Men who are suffering from Organic Weakness. or its terrible effects, are offers a thor- gh and permanent cure. oc 25-1 "] MAT MISERABLE IMPOSTER wold take your last dollar. See Dr. DARBY at once. He plenty of morey and practice, and can afford te it you honestly. oc 16-Im* ES_H_F. WRIGHT, Magnetic and Clairvoy- ant Physicien ‘Heals by Laying on Hands,” hiils and Fe- vers, Liver Complaint, Female Weaknesses, Ner- Yousness &c., de. Booms 372 E street, between 16th and Mth streets ec 16 im* 1421s, don't LOOK AT THIS. 4 aba WM. PRINCE, 351 F street, has reduced his price of STAMPING to FIVE CENTS PER WIDTH Skirts, Pantaletts. &c_,on Muslin, Linen Cam- s. aod Nansook. We have newer and more N Biinduess, Paralysis, Rheumatism, in the city FLUTING SIX CENTS PER YARD. scis-t BANKE J} COOKE & CU., BANKERS, BUtcensh serett, opposite Treasury, Buy and sell at current rates, and kesp alwa en hand, « full supply ofall GOVERNMENT BONDS, 7-30 TREASURY NOTKS, CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS, &e,, And pay the highest prices for QUARTERMASTER’S OHECKS AND VOUCHERS au l-dtt First National Bank OF WASHINGTON. H. b. COOKE. (of Jay Cooke & Co.,) President. WM. 5. HUNTINGTON, Cashier. GOVERNMENT DEPOSITORY AND SUNANCIAL AGENT OF THE UNITED STATES, (STH #T., OPPOSITE THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Government securities with Treasurer United Btates. SJ ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Acting in connection with the house of JAY COOKE & CO., a2 SPECIAL AGENTS FOB THE 7-30 LOAN, we will fl! all orders with promptness and des- pateb, allowing the regular cormmivsion to Banks snd Bankers. A constant supply ef the Notes on hand and ready for immediate delivery We buy and sell all classes of GOVERNMENT SECURITIES at carrent market rates FUBNISE HANGE and make Collection: en ALL THE PRINCIPAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES We porckase Government Vouchers on the MOST VAVORABLE TERMS, and give carefnl and prompt attention to ACCOUNTS OF BUSINESS MEN AND FIRMS and to any other business entrnsted to us. FUEL INFORMATION in regard to GOVERN- MENT LOANS at at times cheerfully furnished. WM. 8. HUNTINGTON. Cashier. Wasnixe tox. March ®, 145. m 2-tf Ty. »y ARD CLARK, LUMBER DEALER, Virginia avenue, between 9th and 10th streets cast, near U.S. Navy Yard. S7 Constantly on band a larce stock of all kinds LUMBER. Prices a# low an the lowest PABSETT’S > KILKUMATIO OINTMENT Iv agnin for sale at G. BE. KRENNEDY’S,(s0le agent.) No. 057th street and 473 9th st., Wash- ington City. All orders for the trade should be ad- dre 1 te A BASSETT & CO. oc 12 Im* No. 52 Joh > J. MEIBERGER, i. F. * CITIZENS AND MILITARY © z Z h, ; MERCHANT TAILOR, Maropelitan Hotel, lace Brown's, 362 nsylvanis avenue, vet Washington. B.O. IF¥ AND SPRECHES OF ANDREW JOAN N, President of the United States, by Life of Michael Angelo. by Herman Grimm, of oc Wi-Im* * York City, a fee 198 RANOK PAYLOR. SHATTERED CO TIONS restored by HELMBOLD'S AOT BUCHU. mmo Eben > “3. XXVI. Frank | would be. EXTRA. EXECUTION OF WIRZ. Last Hours of the Condemned Man. ee Conduct on the Gallows, fede ese Reading the Death Warrant, Scenes at the Scaffold. ene Incidents. ee STD” Cas ara WIRZ EXECUTED. Henry Wirz is hung. Civilization affords no parallel to his crimes, and it is impossible to believe that earthly retribution could have been more terrible. Confronted by accusers in a crowded court from week to week, and daily listening to the recital of indescribable horrors, the last summer of his life must have been a rack of immeasurable agony. Not one ray of comfort could baye reached him in all the ‘weary months from his capture to the present time. Day after day he had to face acrowd thirsting for his blood. He could not turn toa paper for intelligence from the outside world but that his eye was met by execrations and predictions of his fate. He certainly could have entertained no anticipation of escape from pun- ishment, and bad it been possible for his dis- tracted mind, would have spent the season in preparation for death. WIRZ'’S DYING STATEMENT. A short time previous to his execution Wirz gave the following particulars concerning his lite. He was born in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, in 1922, and when quite young re- moved with his parents to Zurich where his fa- ther carried on the tailoring business until 1834, when be took & position in the Custom House, which he still hela when the prisoner last beard from him. Wirz married in Switzerland 4 lady of aristocratic family with considerable money, but he soon by his profligate habits run throngh it. Failing to agree, it was arran; that they should separate, he leaying for eountry and allowing her to obtain a divorce. When growing up Wirz’ father wished hin to stndy for the pulpit, bat he refused, preferring micdicine, and took a course at Zurich, where be graduated. After arriving in this country be took another course and graduated at Cleve- Innd, Obio. He was for two years in a bank- ing boure ir Zurich and afterwards traveled through Italy, not stopping long atany one lace. Wirz landed in New York in 1849 and made an effort to establish bimeelf as 2 physician, but failed becanse he could not speak good English. He then went to Connecticut where he remained several months, subsequently he worked in a factory in Lawrence, Massachusetts, fora timt and was soon engaged as interpreter in a fac. tory. three iniles from Northampton, where Germans were employed; was afterwards en- gaged as super'ntendent of a water cure estab- lishment in Northampton, Mass. At the in- stance of a physician, Wirz went with him to Cadiz, Kentucky, where he married his present wife, Elizabeth Savills, in 1954. Cadiz rot of- ferimg a good opening he went to Louisville, and was superintendent of a water cure estab- lishment for some time. Wirz afterwards took charge of one of Mr. Marshall's plantations, mar Natchez, and in is57 moved his tamily there aud remained until the breaking out of the war. In the early part of the rebellion he enlisted in a company called the Madison Infantry,and remained with it until August, 161, doing ‘aird duty at Howard's Factory prison, in fichmond When the prisoners commenced to arrive from first Bull Run there was no list, and Wirzcommenced to make a list of them. «at patterns than any other place of the kind | He attracted the ntiention of General Winder, and in a short time, by an order from the War Department, was placed on detached service in the South, with the rank of sergeant. In May, 1962, he retnrned to Riehmond. and was sent outtothe battle of Fair Oaks, where he acted as Assistant Adjutant General and Aide o General Joe Johnson, and in this battle re- ceivec 4 wound on thorightarm, froma piece of shell, making it necessary for a difficult sur- gical operation to be performed. Wirz was then made Assistant Proyost Marshal of Man- chester, but did not like the place, and asked to be relieved, and was placed on Winder’s staff, and at the requestof Ould was ordered to go over the South and hunt up prisoners. When he had completed his tour and re- ported, he was assigned to duty as ehief of the secret police, but disliking this more than the provost marshalship, and not succeeding in eing relieved he obtained a sick leaye. He went on that thirty days’ leave to Tuscaloosa, and had it extended for thirty more, but was ordered in a few days to come immediately to Richmond. They had at this time started Libby Prison and Belle Isle. This was early in 163. When he came to Richmond he was made chief Co pe in the provost marshals office. He siaid there two days. One wen d he met an officer, who told him they were looking for somebody to carry arms to the Trans-M: sissippi department. "He offered to carry the: and soon receiyed orders from both the Secre- tary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. He went to Charleston and got some fixed am- munition and guns that had just arrived from ngiand. He went as far as Meridian, and d e trouble getting through Pemberton’s Jepartment; went to Port Hudson, and conld not cross on account of the gunboats Hartford and Albatross. He then gota furlough to go to Europe on account of his health. He hada furlough for four months, but was so delayed that his furlough only lacked three weeks of being cut when he Ianded at Liverpool. After returning from Europe he was ordered to Au- eusts to superintend the transportation of pris- oners to Andersonville, and in March, 1564, was ordered by Gen. Winder to relieve bis son at_Anderson ville. With respect to his fate he said:—*As far as I am concerned | have no hope of reprieve. These things which were done (meaning Anderson- Ville) somebody must sufferfor. I have never denied that the prisoners were mistreated; but it was not my fanit. If 1 am the last one that is to suffer death for the Southern UOonfederacy Jam satisfied. I donot fear death. I never saw a man shot nor never shot one myself. ‘That 1 will say as longas I cansay it. I never hunted prisoners with the dogs, nor anything of that kind. Unfortunately, Gen. Winder is i. Ihe was living 1 know he would come out and not let the innocent ones suffer. I never could get Winder to set his foot on the inside of that stockade. 1 don’t know the rea- son. 1 have no complaints to make of the per- sops who have taken care of me here in prison, nor do I brave any ill-will against any member of that court-martial, nor the Judge Advocate. If 1 have against any one it is they who ha’ perjured themsel vi The man who gave his name as Delabon, a grandson of Gen. Lafay- ette, will be found out to be a German Jew named Schaffer, a deserter from a New York regiment. I went down into the yard to-day and there saw preparations being made for the scaffold, which would make most any man flinch. I had no such feelings. I cannot ex- prees it. Itgis not hardheartedness, but I had neo such feelings. Anybody who knows any- thing of military matters knows that one in command of thirty-five thousand men has to be striet, but when J am accused of conspiring with Jefferson Davis and others, it is all a lie.” Wirz has bad two children, one of which, a citi. ten years old, is living. He denies that he and his second wife lyed together unhappily, and that he was ever in the house of correction in Zurich for forgery. The latter report, he says. originated from the tact that a distant relative failed in businese, and was arrested on the ebarge of false hankruptey. He leaves no property for his family. Wis manner of speaking was composed thronghout, his state- ments e made remarkabiy direct man- ner, considering the surrounding gireum- stances, and none but a few of the least impor- tance were drawn out by any direct questions. CONDUCT OF TIE CONDEMNED. Wirv. before the rentence was read to him, spent most of hi- « in reading, and some- times wrote to his y and friends, although be was much tron}) to what the sentence He became much more composed when his fate was announced, and since then bas rested much better than formerly. He had been allowed to walk in the yard when he cBoce during the day, but was constanUy un- der suryeilanes. Yesterday, when he saw the scaffold, be remarked with the utmost com- posare, “Well, you must be putting up the scaffold.” Immediately after his sentence was read to him, it was proposed to place two or three in his room to he!p to make his time pass pleasantly and to see that he did not at- tempt suicide, when he remarked, “I’m not going to commit suicide, I'm not afraid to die, and will not eave the Government the expense of banging me.” After the sentence was read to him he said “i'm d——d if the Yankee Eagle has not turned out to be whatI expected, ad—d Turkey Buvzard.” He then asked that Rey. Father Boyle be sent for, and also Mr. Louis Schade, his counsel, and since that time these gentlemen bave been almest constant in attendance on him. Besides these some ladies have called, one of them paying her last visit to him yester- day when she brought bim some delicacies. As she was leaving he manifested emotion as he expressed his gratitude to her, and remarked to Mr. Schade, who was present, that that was the Jast tear he would shed in this life. A cou- ple of ladies said to be of the family of a promi- nent officer, visited him also yesterday, and in rerly to the question ct one, whether he had hope, said “Certainly Madam the greatest sin- ner has hope, and I being innocent must surely have hope.” Wirz wounded arm had lately became very appt rendering it difficult for him to use it n writing, butduring the past few days he has been frequently at his desk, and yesterday he wrote for Mr. Schade a short statement of bis life, giving also some private memoranda. Yesterday he received a letter from his wife, dated Cadiz, Ky., in which she used the most affectionate language, and expresses they hope that they then were seeing their darkest hour. She urges him to cheer up and prepare for the worst, butis satisfied that if the government knew how much anguish they had suffered he wonld not be condemned to death. She also states that she intends with her children to go to his people in Europe. Yesterday be walked to the hospital and had bis arm dressed, and spent most of the day with Father Boyle, his spiritual adviser, to whom he gave aseurance of having made his ‘ace with God and being ready for death. Mr. bade called and spent some time with him, and when he left Wirz requested him to call to cee him this morning when he would give him rome letters and papers tor bis family and friends. PASSES. Atan early hour yesterday morning, Mr. L. H. Chandler, chief clerk at the Provost Mar- shal’s office, commenced: giving out passes to those who were so fortunate as to get their names upon the list. All day and the day pre- vious Major Russell's office was bes! with those eager to witness the execution; and not- withstanding the tact that the number of passes were limited to two hundred the work of filling them up and signing them was very arduous, Major Russell and his chief clerk (Chandler) being continually interrupted by new appli- cants for passes. Every one, however, was treated With the greatest courtesy. A number ef parties represented themselves as members of the press, when in fact they had no connec- tion whatever with any newspaper; and the Major being desirous of affording the press every facility, many of these succeeded in sce passes which they were not enti- ed to. THE CELL. Wirz was confined in room No. 9, on the third floor, and was strongly guarded da y and night The only door ofhis room opened into a hall, through which a sentinel paces continually. One or more commissioned or non-commis- sioned officers were constantly present, and the unfortunate man was not left alone yor a single mstant. The room is about fifteen feet square, with two strongly barred windows looking out northward on A street North. Its furniture consists ofan army and necesary blankets, a small, cheap wooden table, three or wooden chairs in yarieus stages of dilapida- tion, one or two small vessels aud a tin candle- stick. The room is warmed by a grate, which lends a cheerful aspect to its appearance. WIKZ’S LAST NIGHT ON EARTH. The prisoner retned to rest early las night, after writing two or three letters, leaving word to Le awakened about 3 o’clock this morning. Hesiept well apparently, and at the hour designated the guard awoke him, when he said he felt like sleeping longer, and turned over and took another nap. Short! aster 6 o'clock Lieut. Havens, of the i8th V. R. C.,the officers of the guard on duty at the time, entered his room and awoke him, when he srose and washed himself. His breakfast Was senttohim, but he did not partake of it, and the Jast food he ate was a few oysters last night. He had in his rooma small vial of whisky, and at times took a little as a stima- lant. Last night, before retiring, he took a mouthful, and this morning. as soon as he arore, he took another small drink, as also one just before he lef his room for the gallows. About 7 o'clock, Mr. Schade called. and spent nearly an hour with him, and received let- ters jor Mr. Baker and himself, and affection- ately took bis leave. THE GALLOWS. The gallows has heretofore been brought into play, several persons baying been executed’on it, viz: Woodward, for the murder ofhis wife, hung im the jail yard; Samuel Powers, hung in the same place, for the murder of young Lutz, of Baltimore: John Conrad Kessler ot Co. K, 103 N. Y. vols, hung in the Old Capitol yard, Dec. 5, 1*62, for the murder of Lieut. F, Linzy, of the same company, at the 6th street wharf, Angustus Ford, col’d, hung on the 3d of March, 1963, mm the Leap yard, for the murder of Geo. Adams, col’d; Cornelius Tuell, hung in the jail yard, on July 6th last, for the murder of his wife; Charles Fenton Beavers, of Mosby's gang, hung in the Old Capitol yard on August 26th, for violating his oath of allegiance he had twice taken; Charles Williams, 3ist U.S. col’d troops, Noy. 25th, 1864, for the murder of an unknown colored woman. atCamp Casey, Va., on the Mth of September previous. On sey- ernl other occasions this gallows which has played so important a partof late years has been put up bat not used. On April Ist it was up in the jail yard for the purpose ofthe execution of Jeremiah Kendricks, for the mur- der of Dennis Shannahan in Swampoodile, and Emanual Pollard, for the murder of George Butler, wha just before the hour for the exe- cution arrived, had their sentences commuted by the President to imprisonment in the Peni- tiary for life. Peter Gooden, colored, was to have been hung with Tuell, in July last, for murder of George Banke, colored, but had his sentence commuted to imprisonment for life ee before the hour arrived. Thus this gal- jows has been the instrument under the law for causing the death of seven persons and has been put in readiness for service on numerous other occasions, Fhe gallows is made of very heavy timber now somewhat weather worn. The extreme beight of the uprights which support the beam aTe twenty-two feet, the platform is twelve feet from the ground, and twelve feet square; one foot higher than the level of the platform is the fatal trap, which was bepartet? Mand large enough for the purpose of executing one person at atime, five feet by five, but now has been enlarged to admit of the execution of four at one time, five feet by eleven. The rope used is of the very best Manilla, known as %, procured atthe Navy Yard, and yesterday it was tested with a weight of 20 potinds dropped about five feet. The previous tests have been with a Weight of 225 pounds, but Wirz is much the lightest man yet placed upon this scaffold, and the test weight was consequently reduced. The rope is made fast to a cleet on either side of the upright, and running through the beam bn over the trap with a fall of about six feet. THE EXECUTIONER. ‘The executioner upon the occasion was Syl- vester Ballou, an United States Military De- tective on duty at the headquarters department of Weehington. Ballou isa finely formed man, five feet ten inches in hight, and was dressed in the full uniform ofan U. 5S. soldier, with the exception of @ black dress coat. He received no pay for his services, but acted under orders from his superior officer (Major Russell) and while m no way feeling gratitied by his posi- tion carried ont bis instructions the wil- lingness of a true soldier. THE PHOTOGRAPHER ON HAND. Gardner was early on hand with his camera taking views of the prison yard, seaffold, and scene of exeeution for Harper's Weekly. The prese-gang present, seated on some di- lapida‘ed steps were taken in characteristic cutfit of, sbhotking bad hats, pencils and note- booke,and the rush of the up to see the nega- tive was immediately followed @ scattera- tion and rush in the ‘direction of the scaffold. es the her was brought out somewhat cooner than had been anticipated by the crowd ng WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 10, 1865. S THE GUARD. At9 a.m. the guard was drawn up about the gallows, composed as follows: 150 men of the 214th Pennsylvania, Major W. M. Worrall; 6v men of the if$th Pennsylvania, Oapt. E. H. Foust; detachments of the 1#th, 24th, 9th, 12th, and ifth V.R.C., the whole under the com- mand of Provost Marshal Russell. SCENES IN THE CELL. A few minutes past ten o'clock Major Rus- cll, Provest Marshal, and Captain Walbridge commanding the prison, entered the room of Wirz, when Maj. R.informed him that he must sad eety for the scaffold. He received Maj tuesell with great ease and urbanity, rising to his feet in co doing. He had been up to this time engeged with Rev. Father le, who had been with him from eight o’ciock this morning, and Rey. Father Wiget, who entered the room & ehort time before. He immediately complied with the request to make ready and put himbelfin position for the black gown, to be plecee upon him; remarking that he hoped he would “soon haye a white gown.” Before leaving the room he happened to glance downward, and noticing that his gown had puckered in the middle, he remarked, coolly, that he did not know he had grown so fat. A pair of handcuffs were produced to place on his wriets, but it was found that his right wrist had swelled to such an extent as to render it impossible to put them on. and he was allowed to carry the swollen arm in a sling two the scaffold. When all was ready, the solemn procession started from the room, Major Russell preceding it; after which came the prisoner, walking with a firm step, between his spiritual ad- visers, surrounded by a guard. SCENES ON THE SCAFFOLD. Atten minutes past ten a.m., the yard door of the prison was opened, and the criminal was ushered forth to the gallows. Maior Rus- fell, Provost Marshal, walked in front, fol- lowed by the prisoner, between Rev. Fathers Boyle and Wiget, followed by Captain G. R. Walbridge, commanding the prison. Wirz mounted to the scaffold with a quick step, assisting himself slightly with his left hand, his right hand being inasling. He took a seat on Asmall stool, in the rear of the drop and immediately under the gaping noose in walling for him. Father Boyle stooped over the crim- inal, reciting to him the Catholic death service. Wirz was noticed to make the responses with some emphasis, frequently nodding his head, and also occasionally shaking it. as if answer- € negatively to some question. He wore a black gown’ but no covering upon his head, and his hair was lifted over his eyes occasion- ally by the breeze. The walis of the prison: the adjoining house - top: and the trees in the street and the Capitol grounds were loaded with curious spectators, who indulged in a variety of outcries. not calcuiated to inspirit the criminal in his last moments. In one instance Wirz turned quickly and with a sort of defiant look in the direction from which some groans and calls of “Hang the Scoundrel.” reached his ears. After- wards be gave a cool, comprehensive look to the whole surroundings of prison yard, spec- tators, fellow prisoners looking out ‘at the win- dows, photographic apparatus, gallows, &c., resting his eye in conclusion on Major Russell, who was reading the findings and sentence of the Court. From the peculiar facial expres- sion of Wirz, noticeable throughout his tial, he appears to wear a sort of grim smile in his mest unmirthful moments, and this gave him on the scaffold the appearance of indulging a fori of ghastiy merriment in the y ry edge of the Great Shadow he wasentering. Just asthe noose was being adjusted, a voice called im- petenny from a tree, “Down with him; let im drop!" THE DEATH SENTENCE READ TO WIRZ. Major G. B. Russel, Proyost Marshal of the District of Columbia, advanced to the front of the platform and proceeded to read in a clear, distinct voice, the findings of the Court and the death sentence, as follows: War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Nov. 6, 1565. GeEyerraL Court Martian Orpers, No. 607. I—Before a Military Commission which convened at Washipgton, D. C., August 23, 1£65, pursuant to paragraph 3, Special Orders, No. dated August 23, 1565, and paragraph 1 Special Orders, No. 524, dated October 2, 165, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, and of which Major Gen- eral Lewis Wallace, U.S. Volnnteers, is presi- dent, was arraigned and tried Henry Wirz: OHAKGE 1.—Maliciously, wiliully, and traitorously, and in aid of the then existing armed rebellion against the United States of America, on or before the first day of March, A. D. 1:64, and on divers other days between that day and the tenth day of April, 1865, com- bining. confederaung, and conspiring together with John H. Winder, Richard B, Winder, Jos. White, W. S. Winder, R. R. Stevenson, and others unknown, to injure the health and destroy the lives of soldiers in the military service of the United States, then held and being prisoners of war within the lines of the so-called Confederate States and in the military prisons thereof, to the end that the armies of the United States might be weakened and im- paired; in violation of the laws and customs of war. CHARGE 2.—Murder, in violation of the laws and customs of war. _ PLea:—To which charges and the specifica- heaear accused, Henry Wirz pleaded “Not Fnilty,”” ¥INDING:—The Commission having matare- ly considered the evidence adduced, find the accused, Henry Wirz, as follows: Of the specification to charge, “Guilty,” af- ter amending said specification to read as fol- Jows: In this, that the said Henry Wirz, did combine, confederate, and conspire with them, the said Jefferson Davis, James A. Sed- don, Howell Cobb, John H. Winder, Richard 33. Winder, Isaiah H. White, W.S. Winder, W. Shey Reed, R. R. Stevenson, S. P. Moore, —— Kerr, late hospital steward at Anderson- ville, James Duncan, Wesley W. Turner, Ben- jamin Harris, and others, whose names are un- known, citizens of the United States aforesaid, and who were then engaged in armed rebellion against the United States, maliciously, traitor. ously, and in violation of the laws of war, to impair andinjure the health, and to destroy the lives, by subjecting to torture and great suffering, by confining in unhealthy and unwhelesome quarters, b exposing to the inclemency of winter and to the dews and burning sun of summer, by compellirg the use of impure water and by furnishing insuf- ficient and unwholesome food, of jarge num- bers of Federal prisoners, to wit, the number of about forty-five thousand soldiers in the mili- tary service of the United States of America, held as prisoners of war at Andersonville, in the State of Georgia, within the lines of the so- called Confederate States, on ot before the 27th day of March, A. D., 1864, and at divers times between that day and the 10th day of April, A. D., 1865, to the end thatthe armies of the United States might be weakened and impaired, and the imsurgents engaged in armed rebellion against the United States might be aided and comforted; and he, the said Henry Wirz, an of- ficer in the military service of the so-called Confederate States, ing then, and there, com. mandant of a military prison at Anderson- ville, in the State” of ia, located by authority of the so-called Confederate States, for the confinement of prisoners of war, and as a commandant, fully clothed with authority and in duty bound to treat, care and provide for such prisoners held as aforesaid as were or might be placed in his custody, accord- ing to the law of war, did, in furtherance of such combination, confederation and con- spiracy, maliciously, wicked ly and traitorously confine a large number of prisoners of war, soldiers in the muli service of the United States, to the number of about forty-five thou- sand men, in umhealthy and unwho! quarters, in @ close and small area of ground wholly inadequate to their wants and destruc- tive to their health, which he well knew and intended; and while there so confined durmg the time aforesaid, did, in furtherance of his evil design and in aid of the said conspiracy, willfully and matiaously neglect to furnis! tents, barracks or other shelter sufficient = their protection from the inelemency o winter and the dews and barning sun of summer; and with such evi intent did take and can e to be taken from them their clothing, blankets, eamp equipage and cther propérty Of which they were pos- seseed atthe nme of being pl: in his ¢us- tody; and with like malice and evil intent, did pfilecas furnirb or cause to be fees. food eitber of a quality or oe pre- eerve health or aeeniad Cir Abe lid refaseand hegleettofurmish wood sufficient for cooking in Furmmer and to keep the prisoners warm in winter, and did compel the said prisoners to tubsist upon nnwholesome food, and thatin hited. qnastities entirely inadequate to sas. “Tain bealth, whieh he well knew; sod did com- Fel the said prisoners to use unwholesome ° - NS, 3,959. water, reeking with the filth and garbage of boo xseoae and prixon guard, and the offai and drainage of the cook honse of said prison, whereby the prisoners became greatly reduced in theirbodily strength and emaciated and in- jured in their bodily health. their minds im- paired and their intellect broken; and many of them, to-wit, about the number of ten thousand, whose names are unknown, sickened and died ¥ Treason thereof, which he, the said Henry irz, then and there well knew and intended; and so knowing and evilly intended, did re- fuse and neglect to provide proper lodgings, food or nourishment for the sick, and necessary medicine and medical attendance for restora- tion of their health, and did knowingly, wil- fully and maliciously in furtherance of his evil designs. permit them to languish and die from want of care and proper treatment, and the said Henry Wirz, still pursuing his evil purposes, did permit to remain in the said prison, among the emaciated sick and lan- guishing living, the bodies of the dead until they became corrupt and loathsome, and filled the air with fetid and noxions exhalations, and thereby greatly increased the unwholesome- ness of ke prison, insomuch that great num- bers of said prisoners, whose names are un- known, sickened and died by reason thereof. And the said Henry Wirg, still pursuing his wicked and cruel purpose, wholly disregard- ing the usages of civilized warfare, did, at the tome and place aforesaid, malicions!y and wil- fully subject the prisoners aforesaid to cruel, unusual and infamous punishment, upon slight, trivial and fictitious pretences, by fasten- ing large balls of iron to their feet and binding numbers of the prisoners aforesaid closely to- gether with large chains around their necks and feet, so that they walked with the greatest difficulty, and being so confined, were sub- jected to the burning rays of the sun, often without food or drink for hours and even days, from which said cruel treatment numbers, whose names are unknown, sickened, fainted and died. And he, the said Wirz, did further cruelly treat and injure said —* by ma- liciously tying them up by their thumbs and wilfully confining them with an instrament of torture called “the stocks,” thus depriving them of the use of their limbs, and forcing them to lie, set and stand for many hours without the power of changing position, and being wi.h- out food or drink. in consequence of which many, whoze names are unknown, sickened and died; and he, the said Wirz, still wickedly pursuing his evil purpose, did establish and cause to be designated within the prison en- closure containing said prisoners, a “dead line,” being a line around the inner face of the stockade or wall enclosing said prison, and about twenty feet distant from, and within said stockade; and having 60 established said dead line, which was in some places an imngi- nary line, and in other places marked by inse- eure and shifting strips of boards nailed upon the top of small and insecure stakes or posts, he, the said Wirz, instructed the prison gaard stationed around the top of said stockade, to fire upon and kill any of the prisoners afore- faid who might fall upon, or pass over or un- der, or across the said “dead line.” pursuant to which said orders and _ instructions maliciously and needlessly given by said Wirz, the said pricon guard did fire upon and kill a number of said prisoners. And the said Wirz still pursuing his evil purpose, did keep and use ferocious and bloodthirsty dogs, dangerous to human life. to hunt down prisoners of war, aforesaid, who made their escape from custod and did then, and there, wilfully and mali. ciously enffer, incite, and encourage the said dogs to seize, tear, maugle, and maim, the bod- ies and limbs of said fugitive prisoners of war, which the said beasts incited as aforesaid, then and there did, whereby a large number of said prisoners of war, who, during theftime aforesaid made their escape and were Te-captured, died. And the said Wirz, still pur- suing his wicked purpose, and still aiding in carrying out said conspiracy, did cause to be used for the pretended purpose of vaccination, impure and poisonous vaccine matter, which said impure and poisonous matter was then and there, by the direction and order of said Wirz, maliciously cruelly and wickedly depos- ited in the arms of many of said prisoners, by reason of which large numbers of them lost the use of their arms, and many of them were-so injured that they soon thereafter died; all of which he, the said Henry Wirz, well knew and maliciously intended, and in aid ef the then existing rebellion against the United States, With the view to assist in weakening and im- pairing the armies of the United States, and in furtherance of the said conspiracy. and with a full knowledge, consent and connivances of his co-conspirators aforesaid, he, the said Wirz, then and there did. Of Charge I, + Guilty,” after amending said charge to read as follows :—“ Maliciously, wil- fully and traitorously, and in aid of the then existing armed rebellion against the United States of America, on or before the twenty- seventh day of March, A. D. 1864, and on di- vers other days between that day and the tenth day of April, 1965, combming, confederatine and conspiring together with Jefferson Davis, James A. Seddon, Howell Cobb, John H. Win- der, Richard B. Winder, Isaiah H. Wuite, W. S. Winder, W. Shelby Reed, R. R. Stevenson, S. P. Moore, —— Kerr, late hospital steward at Andersonville, James Duncan, Wesiey W. Turner, Benjamin Harris, and others un- known, to injure the health and destroy the lives of soldiers in the military service of the United States then held and being prisoners of ‘war within the lines of the so-cailed Confed- erate States and in the military prisons thereof, to the end that the armies of the United States might be weakened and impsired, in violation of the laws and customs of war.” Of Specification first, to Charge 11, “Guilty, adding the words ‘or about’ immediately be- fore the phrase, ‘the ninth day of July.’ ”* Mad somemesaok second, to Cnarge Il, “Guilty? Of Specification third, to Charge II, “Guilty, after striking out + June’ and imserting instead, ‘September.’ ” Of Specification four, to Oharge 11, « Not guiity.” Of Specification five, toObarge II, “(2uilty,” aiter striking out the phrase ‘on the thirteenth day’ and inserting instead, the phrase ‘on or about thetwenty-fitth day.’” Of Specification six, to Charge II, “Guilty,” atter striking out the word first’ and inserting ‘fifteenth,’ and also striking out the phrase ‘on the sixth day’ and inserting instead the phrase ‘on or about the sixteenth day.’” Of Specification seven, to Charge LI, “Guil- ty,” after striking out the words ‘twentieth’ and inserting instead the word ‘first,’ and also after inserting ‘on or about’ immediately before the phrase ‘the twenty-fifth day.’” ie Specifications eight and nine, to Charge > “Guilty.” ' Of pecification ten, to Charge II, “Not Guil- v2? Of Specification eleven to Charge I1, «Guilty, after striking out the word ‘first’ and inserting instead the word ‘sixth;’ after striking out also the phrase ‘incite and urge,’ and the phrase ‘encouragement and instigation,’ and by ad- ding the words “or about,” after the word ‘on,’ where it last oceurs in the specifica'ion; and also after striking out the phrase ‘animals, called blood-hounds.’ and inserting the word ‘doge; and also striking ont the word ‘blood- hounds’ where it afterwards occurs and insert the word ‘dogs; and also striking outthe words ‘gi him.” ven by te LL, Of Specification twelve, “Guilty.” Msp yenrer thirteen, to Charge II, “Not a 5 of the Second Charge, “Guilty.” SenTence:—And the \Comfatssion does therefore sentence him, the said Wire, “to be hanged by the neck tili he be at suchtime and place as the Presidentof the United States may direct, two-thirds of the ee the Court oat ee eel —The proceedin, ngs, and sen dp the foregoing cate hkving been submitted to the President of the United States, the follow- ing are his orders: Executive Mansion, November 3, 1865. . The proceedings, findings, and sentence o' the Court in the within case are approved, and it is ordered that the sentence be carried into execution by the officer commanding the De- t ‘ashington, on Friday, the 10th Une poy between the’ hours of By. Cait apy noon. a. m., and 12 5 fore AaDaey SEE President. 11I.—Major General C. OC. Augur, command- ing the omaar Washington, isecommand- ed to cause the foregoing seutenee in the case of Henry Wirz to bednuly executed in accordance with the President's order. V.=Phe Military Commission, of which Major General. Lewis Wallace, U.S. Volun- teers, is President, is hereby dissolved. By command of the President of the United States. E. D. Townsenp, Assistant Adj’t General. At 25 minutes past 10 Major Russell con- ‘cleded the reading of the findings and sen- tence, and the final prepsrauons for the exe- cution were entered upon. . The ch took leave of the criminal, he prxwee iy the crucifix to bis lips. ajot Ruseell said to him: “Capt. Wirz baye you anything to say?” Wirz replied: “No. sir; only that lam AB and will die : a man; my bopes being in the future.” «f go before’ my God, the Almighty God, and he wil! judge between me and you.” Major Russell remarked that he hoped 4 me him; te which Wirz replied that ne did hot; thathe was doing only his duty. To Oap- tain Waibridge he remarked, «Weil, ee. food-pye; I thank you and the other o} = of the prison, for I have been well treated.” THE CLOSING SCENE. While this took place, his Jegs were being strapped together and his arms pinioned be- bind him. Major Russell and the others then stepped off the drop, the bolts were puiled ont, end the fatal spring was touched at exactly 10.30 o'clock, when the drop fell with a “thug,” and the criminal was iefi cangling in the air. ‘Tbe legs were drawn op slightly several times, and the shoulders shrugged a little, but in abeut four minutes the body ceased © Sway, and all was still. When the body fell, a shout, with cheers, went up from the crowd of spec- tttors outside. The body was allowed to hang fifteen m: utes, when it was lowered and placed on stretcher, and carried to the hospital, where it was examined by Dr. C. M. Ford, surgeon of the pricom: Dr. Ensign, sth V.R., aud Dre. Noteon and Bliss, who found that his neck bad teen broken. Hits body will be placed in a coffin farnishea by the Government and delivered to Rev. Fi tLer Boyie, who received from the prisover bis dying iequesis as to the disposition of his remains. Lat uight when Lieutenant Havens left his Toum Wirz requested him to gethim a pair of sc S8scers and Uus morning be cut off several ick» of his hair and placed them in letters to hi- wite and children, but as far as kaown be leit no meseage to his reistives in Europe. A number of books left in hie room he directed, betore he left the cell, to be sent to his children, And others to Mr. Schade, his counsel. He also left & journal, kept since he has been in prison, and a number of ietters. Among the letters were some addressed to witnesses on his trial. During the morning be sent tor Captain R. H. Winder, whe occupied a room directly op- posite to his, and bid him good bye charging im to see to his family aud aid them. [tas un- Gerstoud that he referred more particularly to —— them to go tohis people in Switer- land. Mr. S. H. Chandler, of the Provost Marshal's office, entered his cell this morning about 9.55 and asked him for his autograph, which he complied with by taking the book and writing in a plain firm hand, being scrupulously exact in punctuation, the following: “Old Capitol Prison, Nov. 1th, 1865. H. Wirz, Captain and A. A.G., ©. 8. A..” remarking as he handed back the book, ais is the last signature I will ever write. Farewell, CS. A.” The room in which the prisoner was confined isin the third story on the north side of the building, with two windows and a door on the eastside. In agrateon the west side of the Teom Guring the cold weather a cheerful fire Was kept, while his bed was laid on a cot on the north side, two blankets being used as the cover. At the foot of the bed wasa small table on which was a quantity of paper and enyel- opes just as he had jeft them, while on the Window-sill was a yolume of Cummings” on the Apocalypse.” INCIDENTAL. Inside the enclosure there were, besides the military, perhaps as many as two hundred per- sons; but with those on the bouse-tops and in the trees, the entire number, including the mil- itary, winessing the execution were over 1,000, among whom were some ladies on the house- tops and in the windows of residences near by. Besides those inside the enclosure, there were a few persons who were prisoners at Ander. sonville, among them Lieut. F. R. Jackson, who was a prisoner for fourteen months, du- Ting which time he was twice vaccinated with emall-pox virus, causing im to lose an arm. After the execution was over and the bod: bad been taken to the hospital, Captain Wal- bridge appeared in the yard with a piece of the rope with which the banging was done, and was immediately surrounded by a clamorous crowd, among W it was quickly divided. THE POST MORTEM. The surgeons, after the body was taken to the hospital, held a post mortem examination on it, finding the joints of the vertebra disio- cated. They also minutely examined the right arm in reference to the wound he received in 1863. This wound was caused by a fragment of na shell received at the battie of Fair Gaks, and after it had healed up it broke out afresh, and was operated upon in Europe, the Surgeons taking out a portioa of the fractured bone, which had decayed. It Was then thonght to be well, but while on his trial the wound broke out afresh, and became very painful. The examination proved that all the decayed bone had no* beea removed, and the portion of it remaining caused the wound to break out afresh. The body, up to 3 o'clock, was still in the hands of the surgeons, noorders having been received from beadquarters to deliver the body to Father Boyle, who applied for it, to be kept subject to his (Wirz's) wife's orders, but doubt- less the order will be given this afternoon, and the body be delivered to Mr. Sands, the under- taker, who will take it to Mount Olivet, where it will be placed in a vault for the present. LETTER OF WIRZ TO BAKER. The following is the letter he addressed to Mr. O. 8. Baker, one of his counsel, this morn- ing: My Dear Sie :—1 am trnly sorry to see that the New York Herald has spoken of you in the article headed “Wirz,” in such a manner as to reflecton you. I have not said a word that could be construed intosuch athing. I mere- ly stated that I bad not selected you as my counsel at first, but accepted of your services cheerfully. I will say again, as I said before, that I believe you done all you could forme, and therefore accept my thanks, the thanks of a dying man. 10th November, 1565. H. Wirz. ‘The arrangements at the prison devolved upon Captain G. R. Walbridge, the military commandant, who, with his assistants, Lieuts. Havens, Coleman, and Burns, was kept quite busy, and the entire details were carried out in a creditable manner. It was ny to post a larger number of sentries than usual, over thirty posts being on the outside of buildings, and also the troops around the scaffold, besides attending to the internal arrangements of the prison, which kept these officers quite busy; nevertheless, when the time came, every per- son was found in his proper place. THE LAST LETTER OF WIRZz. The following letter was written by Wire before mounting the gallows : OLp Cariror Prison, Noy. 10, 1865.—MMr. Schade—Dear Sir: 1t is no doubt the last time that I address myself to you. What I have said to you often and often I repeat. Accept =y thanks, =y sincere, heartfelt thanks, for ail you have done forme. May (God reward you; I cannot, Still 1 have something more to ask of you, and I nm confident that you will not refuse to receive my dying request. Please belp my poor family—my dear wife and children. War, crnel war, bas swept eve- rything from me, and to-day my wife, my chil- dren are . My life is deman as an atonement. Willing to give it,and I ho) that after awhile I will be judged differen y from what 1 am now, If any one ought to come to the relief of my family it is the people of the South, for whose sake Thave sacrificed all. I know you wiil excuse me for my woub- ling you again. Farewell, dear sir, may God bless you. Your thankful H. Wine F LOUR, FEED, WHISKY. A large and complete assortment ot ALL GRADES OF FLOUR, for Bakers, Grocers, and others, ‘WARRANTED AS REPRESENTED. FEED OF ALL KINDs, Either weight or measure. WHISKY, ALL GRADES. We mention the Bonnitz Whiskey in particular, ss being pure, and four years old, sold subject, it necessary, to analysis. WM. M. GALT & ©o., no 2-tf Indiana avenne and ist st. EW OPENING. GREEN'S RESTAURANT, Oorner of E and Sth treats, oppesite' Boat Offee, J erable igetieals mona cok be ROE retaining a wally ng » its i color i the paigtee facie ne eosacs cents per bottle. R Ri ey MEDICATED GINGER BREAD N ‘worms, unrivaledin efficacy and caltarly tagted for children, being os cake. real het al [es OURAN: Ro 107 Walaa gs eA Re