Anxious to be released from my present imprisonment, and not knowing to whom to address myself to accomplish if possible this object, I take the liberty to adress you, hoping you will excuse me for doing so and if consistent with your duties that you will forward this statement;
I am a native of Switzerland, came to the United States in 1849 am by profession a physician and was at the commencement of the rebellion living in Louisiana, were I had in fact resided since 1854. Like thousand others I had nothing else to do when Louisiana seceded than to join the southern army. In March 1864 I was ordered by Genl J. H. Winder to whose staff I had previously being assigned to report to the officer in Command at Andersonville Ga for duty, with which order I complied and was put in charge of the Interior of Prison. In this capacity I served until Genl Johnson's surrender, never

The Doctor at
Andersonville

(Andersonville)

during the whole time was I in command of the prison, or had any control over Commissary or Quartermaster department, acting myself solely in obedience to orders from my superior officer which I received daily either verbally or in writing. After Maj. Genl. Wilson U.S.A. took possession of Macon, I remained quietly at my quarters in Andersonville. On the 7th of May Capt Noyes A.AG on Genl Wilsons staff called at my quarters for the Prison registers, I turned over to him all the lists of Prisoners in my possession he took them and requested me to go with him to Macon, to see Gen Wilson, stating to me that the General wished to see me. I consented to do so after he had promised me that I should not be interrupted in going and returning, and should be detained but one day at Macon. To my great surprise I was not only not permitted to see Genl Wilson but was retained as a prisoner. I remained two weeks in Macon and was then sent to this City in the charge of the same Capt Noyes who induced me to go to Macon. I will not dwell on the abuses and indigneties I had to

suffer on the road, how I was cursed, beaten & robbed of everything I possessed. I arrived here on the 31 of May and have been here ever since. Up to this day I am unable to say why I was arrested and why I am kept as a prisoner. No other Officer who was at Andersonville has been arrested. Even Col. G. C. Gibbs who was in Command there from October until March 1865 has taken the oath of Allegiance a few weeks ago before Col Ingraham and has been released, and I cannot believe that it is the intention of the authorities to make me a subaltern officer suffer for the faults of the Commissary and Quartermaster departments over which I had no control.
My humble petition is that I be released and allowed with my family to leave the United States and return to my native country I am to old to start the world anew, all my property is lost and I could not support my family here. In Switzerland I have some property left.
Hoping dear Sir you will excuse the liberty I have taken in troubling you and trespassing on your time, and that you will comply with my humble request I remain

most respectfully
your obd servt
H Wirz
late Captn A.A.G.C S.A

W. P. Wood Esq
Superintt Carroll Prison
Washington D. C.