Andersonville / Wirz Collection

(transcriptions only)

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Document Type: Letter Signed

Author: Major General James H. Wilson
Date: May 17, 1865
Place: Macon, Georgia
To: Brigadier General Lorenzo Thomas

First Endorsement: Brigadier General E. D. Townsend
Second Endorsement: Major General Ethan Allen Hitchcock
Third Endorsement: Brigadier General E. D. Townsend
Fourth Endorsement: Major Addison A. Hosmer

Physical Description: Ink on paper; 3 pages (26 x 20 cm) on 2 sheets

Number: MSN CW 0200-10

Transcription
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Page 1 Images: 150 DPI – 100 DPI

Head Quarters Cavalry Corps M.D.M.
Macon Ga May 17th 1865
General

I have the honor to report that I have arrested Capt H. Wirz C. S. A. notorious as Commandant of the Andersonville Prison; and have sent him under guard to Genl Thomas. I forward herewith all the records &c of the Prison that could be found and also other papers relating to his cruel treatment of our men.
I respectfully request that this miscreant be brought before a General Court Martial in Washington D. C. Where the evidence in his case can be most readily obtained.

I am General Very Respectfully
Your obedient Servant
J. H. Wilson
Brvt Maj. Genl.
Comdg Cav Corps, M.D.M.

Brig Genl L. Thomas
Adjt Genl U. S. A.

Page 2 Images: 150 DPI – 100 DPI

[Filing Numbers]

Macon, Ga,
May 17.1865.

J. H. Wilson
Maj. Genl. Vols

Has arrested Capt. H. Wirz, late rebel army, notorious as Commandant of the Andersonville prison. Requests that this miscreant be brought before a G. C. M. in Washin. D. C.

Recd. A.G.O. May 31. 65.

[First Endorsement]

A.G. office
June 5, 1865

Respectfully referred to Major General E. A. Hitchcock, Comr. for the Exge. of Prisoners. There are other records in the case of the Andersonville Prison, which were brought to this office by Captain H.E. Noyes, 20 U.S. Cavly. at the same time that he brought in Capt. H. Wirz, who is now in confinement at the Old Capitol Prison.

By order of the Secretary of War:
E D Townsend
Asst. Adjt. General

[Second Endorsement]

I respectfully recommend that these papers be sent to the Judge Advocate general with instructions to cause the proper steps to be taken to bring Capt. Wirz before a Military Commission to answer to charges to be drawn up by some Judge advocate to be designated for the purpose, based upon the statements embraced within accompanying papers. I would also recommend as much promptness of action in the cases as the circumstances will permit.

Respectfully submitted
E A Hitchcock
Mj. Gen. [?]
Comr. of Exch.
[?] June 6. 1865.

[Third Endorsement]

A.G.office, June 6/65

Respectfully referred to the Judge Advocate General to carry out the recommendation of Genl. Hitchcock in regard to the framing of charges.

E A Townsend
AAGenl

Page 3 Images: 150 DPI – 100 DPI

[Fourth Endorsement]

War Department,
Bureau of Mil. Justice,
June 7th 1865.

     Respectfully returned to Brig. Gen. Townsend, Asst. Adjutant General. It clearly appears from the accompanying proof that Capt Wirtz, of the rebel army, (and now a prisoner in this city, having been arrested and forwarded by Brig. Gen. J. H. Wilson, comdg. at Macon, Georgia,) was guilty, while in command of the rebel prison at Andersonville, Ga., of the most flagrant and atrocious violation of the laws of war in his treatment of Federal prisoners of war, as well as of the crimes of murder and manslaughter in deliberately shooting, or otherwise causing the death of prisoners in repeated instances.
     It is due alike to the patriotism of the country and of the Army, to the memory of those who have perished under the fiendish cruelties systematically practiced at the rebel prison-stations, and to the cause of human justice, that every official in the service of the rebellion who may have become personally responsible for any share of these horrible outrages, shall, when apprehended, be brought to trial for his detestable crimes.
     As the case of Capt. Wirtz is a leading and most important one, and as the testimony now presented is not sufficiently complete for the framing of full and specific charges, it is recommended that an officer be epecially detailed to proceed to the command of Gen. Wilson, and to such other points as it may be found desirable to visit, for the purpose of conferring with the witnesses within named and procuring additional and cumulative evidence.
     To this officer might properly be committed also the duty of examining the records of the Andersonville Prison, now at the Office of the Adjutant General, as well as of preparing the case for trial by Military Commission, and conducting the trial as Judge Advocate. It is believed that the detail of such officer will result in this case being presented for trial most promptly and in a most complete and satisfactory form; and it is respectfully suggested that Major Edwin S. Osborne 149th. Penna. Vols., now on duty in this bureau, be selected, as a proper and competent officer, for this duty.

[Filing notation indicating copy on file elsewhere.]

A. A. Hosmer
Maj & J. A.
in the absence of the
Judge Advocate Gnl.

Transcription last modified: 20 Nov 2003 at 03:14 PM EST

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