There has been a great deal of misapprehension of the character of Wirz.

He is usually regarded as a villain of large mental caliber, and with a genius for cruelty.

He was nothing of the kind.

He was simply contemptible, from whatever point of view he was studied.
Gnat-brained, cowardly, and feeble natured, he had not a quality that commanded respect from any one who knew him.

His cruelty did not seem designed so much as the ebullitions of a peevish, snarling little temper, united to a mind incapable of conceiving the results of his acts, or understanding the pain he was Inflicting.
I never heard anything of his profession or vocation before entering the army.