That this was largely due to causes within the control of the Confederate authorities I propose to show by the sworn testimony of one of their own men who was in a position to know, and speak authoritatively.
On the 6th day of August 1864 Surgeon Joseph Jones, of the Confederate army, was detailed by the Surgeon General to proceed to Andersonville, and investigate and report, upon the phenomena of the diseases prevailing there. His visit was not for the benefit of the prisoners, but for purely scientific purposes. His report, from which I quote, tells a story of such as no prisoner could tell, for, if any were qualified to make such investigation and report, they had no opportunity to do so.
These extracts from the above mentioned report are taken from “Andersonville,” a book which I wish every civilized person in the world could read. This report was part of the testimony offered and accepted at the trial of Wirz, and is now on file in the office of the Judge Advocate General of the United States, at Washington.
(Transcript from the printed testimony at Wirz Trial, pages 618 to 639, inclusive).
Ques. Are you a graduate of any medical college?
Ques. How long have you been engaged in the practice of medicine?
Ques. Has your experience been as a practitioner, or rather as an investigator of medicine as a science?
Ans. That of Medical Chemist in the Medical College of Georgia, at Augusta.
Ques. How long have you held your position in that college?
Ques. How were you employed during the Rebellion?
Ans. I served six months in the early part of it as a private in the ranks, and the rest of the time in the medical department.
Ans. Under the direction of Dr. Moore, Surgeon General.
Ques. Did you, while acting under his direction, visit Andersonville, professionally?
Ques. For the purpose of making investigations there?
Ans. For the purpose of prosecuting investigations ordered by the Surgeon General.
Ques. You went there in obedience to a letter of instructions?
Ans. In obedience to orders which I received.
Ques. Did you reduce the results of your investigations to the shape of a report?
Ans. I was engaged at that work when General Johnston surrendered his army.
Ques. Have you examined this extract from your report and compared it with the original?