Execution of Henry Wirz, 1865

150 years ago today, November 10, 1865, Confederate Army Captain Henry Wirz was executed by hanging.  He had served as commander of the Andersonville Prison Camp, where 13,000 of the 45,000 prisoners died.

It appears that Wirz was well aware of the appalling conditions in his camp, sought supplies from the Confederate government, and even released prisoners to carry a message to the Union seeking a prisoner exchange.  Nonetheless, he was convicted of murder and executed.

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