Anderson Intelligencer
April 17, 1876
The Wirz Tragedy
The
astounding revelation made by Butler concerning the suppressed diary of Booth
and the consequent official murder of an innocent woman is followed by another
little less astounding or disgraceful to the parties embraced in it, concerning
the lawless trial and execution of the unfortunate Wirz. The disclosure is made in a letter to the New
York World, bearing date March 27th.—It
is as follows:
It
is, perhaps not generally known that during the incarceration of Wirz and Major Windor in the
Capitol Prison they occupied adjoining cells, and enjoyed facilities of
communication, one to the other, by word or writing, through an aperture not
observed, doubtless, by the jailor. No
one was permitted to see either, unless by special privilege from the Secretary
of War. On the night previous to the
execution of Wirz three men entered his cell, of
course by permission of Stanton, and proposed to him, that if he would agree to
implicate Jeff. Davis in the alleged conspiracy to starve the Northern
prisoners confined at Andersonville his life would be
saved. Wirz
replied that he would not save his own life by sacrificing that of another
innocent man. The parties thereupon left
the cell, and Wirz immediately communicated all that
transpired to Major Windor. The Major some time after met Mrs. Davis in
New York, and revealed to her what is here stated, backing it up by an
affidavit, which he gave her , and which she now holds. The trial of Davis would involve revelations
which would shock humanity, and test to its fullest, whatever sense of justice
or feeling of pride is still left at the North.
It is not unreasonable to presume that popular indignation would be
aroused to a pitch that would render it unsafe for the concoctors of the vile
plans devised to secure the sacrifice of Davis’ life, to prolong their
residence among a people whose fame and character they so grossly outraged.
Should
not the names of the trio who made this infamous proposition to Wirz be traced out by some means? If the World
would initiate some movement to that end, it is probable that some light might
be obtained which would fix the identity of these villains. The time is eminently auspicious for such an
enquiry, now that the rogues are divulging each other iniquities. It may be that Major Windor
has some information which would give a clue to the names of the parties. If he has, he should be induced to furnish
it, and then the wretches should be held up to the universal scorn and contempt
they so richly merit.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
