Peggy Sheppard
ANDERSONVILLE — On May 16, women of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) from near and far will be in Andersonville to observe the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Wirz Monument.
Viewed by more than 75,000 tourists annually, the controversial Wirz Monument stands in the center of the Civil War Village of Andersonville.
Confederate Capt. Henry Wirz, a Swiss immigrant, was in charge of the prison stockade at Andersonville, which was built in 1864 to hold 10,000 Union prisoners but was woefully overcrowded when 45,000 were sent there. There was a great need for food, clothing, blankets, tents, cooking utensils, medicines and doctors. The faltering Confederacy could not supply such overwhelming demands. Inevitably, illnesses broke out in epidemic forms and 13,000 died in the 14 months of the prison’s occupancy.
Despite his diligent attempts to secure supplies, the blame was put on Wirz. He was tried for war crimes by a U.S. military tribunal. He was convicted and hanged on Nov. 10, 1865. Historians have been debating his innocence or guilt and the fairness of his trial ever since.
It was the Georgia Division of the UDC, believing him innocent, that erected this monument in 1909, in the village of Andersonville, just on-quarter of a mile from the gate to the prison stockade.
The placing of the monument unleashed a tumult of passionate protest across the nation which continued for many years. In 1919, the monument was defaced with yellow and black paint. There is a favorite story told by UDC members of Americus about how their Wirz Monument was cleaned of the defacing paint.
It seems that many people of Americus extended courtesies to the personnel of Souther Field, that Americus belles, chaperoned by Americus matrons, had attended Souther Field military men at dances and parties. Mrs. Frank Harrold, an Americus matron and state officer of the UDC, on hearing of the desecration of the Wirz Monument, asked the commanding officer of Souther Field if she might address an assemblage of the entire personnel of the Field.
The men were assembled and Mrs. Harrold politely but firmly announced that Americus homes and Americus civic parties would be closed to Souther Field personnel and that no Americus belles would attend Souther Field dances until the defacing paint was removed from the Wirz Monument. By the close of the following day, every trace of paint had been scrubbed off and the monument was restored to its former condition. Military authorities at Souther Field immediately investigated the matter of the desecration of the monument and three soldiers were charged with the deed. Unfortunately, two of the men had since been discharged and had returned to their homes in California, but punishment was meted out by the military to the unfortunate officer still in service.
The 2009 centennial observance will follow the program of the 1909 dedication. There will be speech making starting at 11 a.m. Wirz descendants will be present; outdoor barbecue dinners prepared by Thomas Harrell will be available from noon until 2 p.m. for $7 each. Hundreds of UDC members, many dressed in 1909 attire, will be there. The public is encouraged to attend.
