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The Trial of Henry Wirz: A National Disgrace
Via SHNV
In the state archives in Richmond, Virginia, there is a letter written by an ex-Andersonville prisoner in l9l9 which states, “I have alienated the friendship of many old comrades and friends by telling the truth as I saw it about Major Wirz and his innocence, but I am content and still firm in my belief that history will correct itself, prejudice illuminated, and the truth recognized.” I hope that this article will, in some small way, help the truth to be recognized. The trial Henry Wirz was worse than a mistake, worse even than a miscarriage of justice. The trial of Major Henry Wirz was a national disgrace.
At exactly 10:32 a.m. the trap was sprung.
The fall did not break his neck as the hangman's knot was intended to do and Henry Wirzs legs kicked and writhed within their bonds as he slowly strangled to death. The yard of the Old Capitol Prison was crowded with onlookers who gladly braved the slight chill of the November morning to watch Wirz go to his death. The 250 spectator tickets the government had issued were quickly snatched up; others watched the event from perches on nearby rooftops and in tmes overlooking the walls. Four companies of United States soldiers stood guard and, as he was led up the scaffold, they began chanting in unison, “Wirz-remember Andersonville.”
Source: http://freenorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-trial-of-henry-wirz-national.html
