Execution of Captain Wirtz, the keeper of Andersonville Prison, (reading the warrant)

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882 · November 10, 1865

From "War Memories" catalog: The single life of Captain Wirtz (the notorious and brutal keeper of that awful prison pen at Andersonville) could never atone for his many crimes against humanity. He was convicted of brutally murdering helpless Union soldiers at Andersonville. He was sentenced to death. Here he stands, on the scaffold in the yard of the Old Capitol prison in Washington, listening to the reading of his death warrant. These three views, 7752, 7753, 7755 comprise a scene of much historic interest. They were made by having three separate cameras set to photograph the scaffold. When the warrant was being read one camera was used and that view was taken; while the rope was being placed around his neck another camera was used and that scene was taken; then when the drop was sprung the third camera was used, and so the entire scene of such tragic interest was photographed clear and distinct.