Shifting from a novel about the camp to a courtroom drama, Levitt first wrote the story into an episode of the CBS series Climax!, which aired as The Trial of Captain Wirz on June 27, 1957.

Ian Keith, who played Dr. John C. Bates, an Andersonville camp surgeon and key witness for the prosecution regarding the fate of Union prisoners, died during the show's run and was replaced by Douglas Herrick.

[3] Scott later recalled that what he found most difficult about playing Chipman onstage was that the defendant Wirz came across as a tragic, sympathetic victim, although his negligence, according to the verdict, had a great deal to do with the deplorable conditions at Andersonville.

Meanwhile, he felt the audience was compelled to dislike Chipman, despite being essentially the hero of the story due to his efforts to obtain justice for all the men who suffered and died at the camp.

Cassidy was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, but lost to his director, as Scott won for starring in an adaptation of Arthur Miller's play, The Price.