The Andersonville Trial . . . A Broken Survivor

A scene from PBS's "The Andersonville Trial". Broadcast in 1970, this presentation depicted the post-Civil War trial of Captain Henry Wirz, commandant of the infamous prison in Andersonville, GA where 14,000 Union soldiers died. The scene depicts the testimony, in cross-examination, of 19 year old James Davidson, an ex-Union cavalry trooper and former prisoner of the camp, a young man broken in mind and spirit by what he experienced there. This is only part of the scene the whole of which is the most heart-rending of the whole presentation. Davidson is portrayed by Michael Burns, a former child actor who went on to a distinguished career as a historian, writer, and college professor. He is now retired and raising thoroughbred horses in Kentucky. He was familiar to television audiences of the early 1960s as the teenage character Barnaby West on the popular "Wagon Train" series. The man questioning him is Defense Attorney Otis Baker portrayed by Jack Cassidy in one of the finest roles of his career, one in which he was nominated for an Emmy Award.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Civil
• War
• prison
• camp
• Andersonville
• disobedience
• orders
• officer
• Basehart
• Shatner
• Mitchell
• Ebsen
• Cassidy

[MrCmegrant]

I remember when this was on t.v. and I enjoyed it then. Michael Burns was in good company with all of the other well known actors. I am afraid we will never see the likes of Michael Burns in your actors today. We have lost the art of good television or or television writing. Maybe we could have Michael Burns coach some of the young talent of today-if there be any!

[scorpio888]

I said, "all the best child actors ---- they all seem to leave the industry by the time they're in their thirties..."

Oops. I really meant "their twenties"

[scorpio888]

@doobrah Yes, what a talented cutey-pie he was...

.But then, all the best child actors --- the Billy Mumys, the Michael Burns, the Lee Montgomerys ---- they all seem to leave the industry by the time they're in their thirties. Leaving us with the dreck from, say, "Diff'rent Strokes" or whatever.

[doobrah]

Michael Burns was a terrific actor. Too bad he gave it up.