August 25, 1865 We went to Washington City on the train. Mr. Quinn got us a room at the Willard Hotel. I was not so much in awe of the hotel as I had been when we visited with Mr. Lincoln before to going to Andersonville Prison with the special committee earlier this year. Mr. Quinn arranged for Major Delany’s letter to be taken by courier to Major General Lew Wallace. He told the courier to return here with the reply. Mr. Quinn wanted to know what I was going to say when they called me to testify. “I am going to tell the truth. Allen Means, my friend the prison guard, told me several times that Captain Wirz wrote to Richmond on a regular basis asking for more food and medicine. They refused to send it to him. Allen said it wasn’t Captain Wirz’s fault we were starving. The guards and their families weren’t getting any food either. That’s what I am going to tell them. And I’m going tell them if something horrible like a killing took place while I was there, I would have seen it and recorded it. And I am also going to tell them that I didn’t see anything of the sorts.” “Do you think they are going to like what you have to say, my friend?” he wanted to know. “I don’t much care if they like it or not. I’m pretty sure they won’t like it. Major Delany just wants me to tell them what I saw.” We went down to the dining room and ordered supper. Before we were finished eating, the courier brought the message we were waiting for. Major General Lew Wallace invited me to participate. He asked me to report to the steno at the hearing room at ten the next morning. They would take my deposition and then call me in to testify. “See, Catesby. They are waiting to hear from you. I’m sure you will do great.” “Thanks, Mr. Quinn. I am glad that you came along.”
August 26, 1865 I hobbled to the hearing room at a quarter after nine so that I made sure I would be on time. Each time I had to walk very far it reminded me how easy a short walk had been before the incident in Keedysville, Maryland in June of 1862. That was when Mr. Newberry, who owned me as his slave, decided to ram a flaming hot iron bar into my thigh to teach me a lesson. My right leg has been of no use to me since then. I drag it behind me and do the best I can. Thank God for my crutch. When Mr. Thompson, the steno, arrived he explained that he had a series of questions he would ask me from a form. I was to answer each one slowly and loudly as he would be writing each word for transcription later. He said he was not able to expand on the questions or comment if I didn’t understand what he was asking. “Are you ready, Mr. Catesby?” he asked. “Yes sir.” “Question 1 – Please state your name, rank and regiment.” “My name is Catesby. I was the blacksmith for the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.” “I am sorry sir. You must give your full name, first and last for the record. Will you please state your name again?” “Catesby is my full name. I do not have a last name. I am just plain Catesby.” “Question 2 – Please state the dates that you were a Union prisoner at the Andersonville Prison in Georgia.” “I entered the prison around February 25, 1864 and was transferred out on September 11, 1864.” “Question 3 – During your time in the prison, did you know a man named Captain Henry Wirz?” “Yes. He was the commandant of the Andersonville Prison during my stay there.” “Question 4 – At any time during your time in the prison, did you ever, even once, see Captain Wirz kill one of the prisoners of war?” “No, I did not.” “That is all, sir. I am sure Major General Wallace will inform you back at the Willard Hotel when or if he wants you to testify.” “That’s all you want to know?” I asked in disgust. Mr. Thompson had already picked up his pad and was walking out of the room. He looked back at me and said, “Thank you, sir.” That was it. I hobbled back to the hotel. Mr. Quinn was waiting. I just shook my head. “What’s the matter, Catesby?” he asked. “It was a sham. All they wanted to know was did I think Captain Wirz was guilty. When he found out I didn’t think he was, the interview ended. I would bet the blacksmith shop that I will not be called to testify.” We sat silently in the lobby for quite a long time. The messenger returned with a note from Major General Wallace. It was brief. I read it out loud. “Mr. Catesby. Thank you for your deposition. With 160 witnesses set to testify, I do not feel that you have anything to add to the testimony already lined up. Sincerely, Major General Lew Wallace” “Do you mind if we sit in on the trial anyway, since we are here?” Mr. Quinn asked. “I would not want to go back home without watching at least a part of it. Let’s go over there right now.”
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