Question

Things to keep in mind

Wirz was only one of two Confederates executed for war crimes (several others were executed for spying, and
guerilla attacks after the war ended).
Wirz had a relatively low rank of Captain compared to other prison commandants. This meant many of the
specialists (like surgeons & such) who worked at the prison outranked him. He didn't give these people
orders, they gave him orders.
Wirz was given the chance to save his own life if he implicated President Jefferson Davis in the things that
happened at the prison. He refused to do so.
Wirz had to control 45,000 prisoners with only a few hundred guards.
Wirz had a pack of trained attack dogs, including his most ferocious, Spot. Spot was Wirz's favorite and
weighed 160 pounds. The dogs would be used to catch escaped prisoners and usually mauled them badly,
of the 45,000 over died. Most died from
Atrocities were found at Civil War prisons north and south. For instance, at another prison, guards would
play a points game by shooting prisoners who stuck their head high enough to be seen through a window.
The guards would keep score, like "I beat you 5 to 3 today." This meant that one guard killed 5 men during
his shift and the other only killed 3. These guards were never punished for their "game"
Wirz claimed at his execution that he was only following orders.
After Wirz was executed, there were a series of photographs published and some inconsistencies were
noticed regarding the position of the body. The conspiracy theorists had a field day.
Your Job Now
You have seen the evidence. You must address the court. You want to state your position (guilty or not guilty) and
provide evidence from the trial to support your position. You should write a minimum of FIVE SENTENCES.
I am looking for
1. An introduction which states your belief that Wirz should be found guilty or not guilty
2. 3 reasons you believe that Wirz should be found guilty or not guilty
3. An explanation of how evidence from the trial supports your 3 reasons (how does the evidence agree with
your reasons?)
4. A conclusion, reaffirming your belief as to why he should be found guilty or not guilty (why are you right?)
5. Was Wirz a scapegoat? Why or why n

Answer 1

it can be argued that Wirz should be found guilty for his actions as the commandant of Andersonville prison. Firstly, Wirz had the responsibility to control 45,000 prisoners with only a few hundred guards, yet he failed to provide adequate food, water, and shelter leading to the deaths of thousands of prisoners. Secondly, Wirz had a pack of trained attack dogs that were used to catch escaped prisoners and usually mauled them badly, resulting in the deaths of many. Thirdly, Wirz refused to implicate President Jefferson Davis in the things that happened at the prison, suggesting that he was aware of the inhumane conditions and treatment of prisoners. The evidence from the trial, including witness testimony and documents, supports these reasons and shows that Wirz was aware of the inhumane conditions at the prison and had the power to change them, but chose not to. In conclusion, based on the evidence presented, Wirz should be found guilty for his actions as the commandant of Andersonville prison. As for whether Wirz was a scapegoat, it is up to interpretation, but it is clear that he was responsible for the conditions at the prison and the deaths of thousands of prisoners.