April 26 1862             

           

Dear Father

                        Your letter of the 19^th Inst. I have just received. After a long Brigade Drill yesterday afternoon, I received the Parade, and a very fine one too, and then passing the Adjutants Office on the way to my quarters, your welcome letter was handed to me. Our Regm't presents a very different appearance now, compared with what it did before I went to New York. My post then to receive Parade was about thirty paces from the centre, now my stand is at least 80 distant from it, and then the line is so long that I can scarcely distinguish a man on either wing. I found my voice at first somewhat weak, but can make now a horrible noise by reason of the little practice I have had already. It is a dreadfully disagreeable day, and as my shanty leaks all over, I have for the greater part of it, been enjoying a cool shower bath, for it has rained incessantly. Now, however, I have fastened / some India rubber blankets from the roof and obtain a little respite. Your remarks and advice I have studied carefully, and I coincide fully with everything—but I am not in the position to act as you suggest, yet as much as may be in my power I shall. Was I Colonel of this Reg'm't, I would, & could crush these reptiles at once; but as a subordinate I only can advise, and that carefully, because of the peculiar temperament of the man advised. Dyckman is an Original, and must be led without his suspecting it in the least—if he thinks you influence him, or govern his actions at all—he becomes stubborn as a jackass, contrary as a pig—(Admire the beautiful comparisons) He is negligent, procrastinating and slow, and as I have to await his movements I fret almost as much as M^cClellan must before Yorktown. Against my protestations he allowed our venerable Major (or rather mn mine) to have an interview with him, and to day Clancy may rove fancy free and legs / ditto—he is relieved from arrest. He promises (Clancy) to drop all old & bad associations & connections, and to behave well hereafter. I told Dyckman the fable of the Forester & the snake—how he warmed the viper in his bosom, and how the viper stung him. Dyckman remarked that "he didn't see it" As for the other gentle being Capt Coles, I urge on the Colonel the importance of preferring myself procured sufficient testimony &c from different Officers, to convict him, were he tried, id est I think so, but Court Martials are uncertain affairs, and like all other military matters are not to be trusted. Dyckman says he will attend to it, yet dont. I give him three days grace, and then will act alone. He dare not quit partnership with me—My enlisting so many men, has had a good effect, has increased my influence & power, but if I talk much more about Ego, you may think me egotistical. Yet I will mention one thing viz All / the Officers have messed for the past week at 6 A.M. to shoot at a target. The first time we went out we fired at three hundred yards—My brother field officer (who now swears to me eternal fidelity) imagines or did imagine himself to be a crack shot. That morning I hit the target every time (we fired four times apiece) beating every one. He didn't strike it, but something struck him, the fact that he was not unparalleled as the circus bills say. Dont think me too facetious or trifling from this letter, I assure you I never felt more the responsibility or the care of my position, but never felt too, a greater consciousness of being able to sustain it. I must close, give my love to all & believe me

                                                                                   

Your Aff Son

J. Fred. Pierson

 

P.S. Hortons last letter received. please say to him that I forward the papers to-morrow—

 

[overwritten]

 

18

Fred

Apl 26^th

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