Classicly

The little episode in relation to the Fairfax Court House raid will need no apology for its introduction, as I have already had occasion to refer to that affair in my diary. I have before me a report of a sermon from the New York Press, May, 1909, in which a minister of the Gospel residing within the limits of Greater New York speaks of “the infamous Captain Wirz”—“a murderer.” It is charitable to attribute such language from the lips of a minister to ignorance rather than malice.

Yet, while persons are found who entertain and publicly express such sentiments, I cannot be open to the charge of desiring to awaken and perpetuate bitter memories if I seek to place on record the true history of Major Wirz, to refute the falsehoods and misrepresentations which have crept into history and are still believed by some.