Warrenton Junction

August 25^th 1862

 

Dear Father—

                        I have but few chances to write you now. One of Gen'l Birney's Staff goes to Washington to day, and will mail this for me. I have had some hard & vexacious work lately. Leaving Yorktown in the Str. Coatzacoalcos we arrived at Alexandria the 21^st Inst. We had but Col. Dyckman I left at Yorktown under arrest. Major C—y came with the Reg'm't, also under arrest awaiting sentence. Land'g at Alexandria, I had but nine eleven Commissioned Officers, and no sooner had we touched shore, than all of them but two went away, leaving me positively alone with 580 of the hardest characters N.Y. City could produce, and in a city where liquor was to be had on every side. I marched the Reg'm't to the Railroad, running from Alexandria to here, and then was obliged to remain in the / street for some four or five hours awaiting cars. In spite of my exertions, my men got liquor abundantly, and many got drunk. Most of my Officers were arrested on the street for drunkenness also. I threw personally some ten of my men on the train, dead drunk. Just as we left the city some five of the Officers got on the cars, (where their presence was no longer needed). I left Clancy, Coles, Duncan, my Adjutant and Leslie in Alexandria.

 

Gen'l. Birney saw the whole affair, and thinks the First a very bad, undisciplined, and demoralized Reg'm't, and probably attributes it to me. At any rate, he yesterday relieved me in command of it, ordering a Major from another Reg'm't to assume command, and directed me to report to Col. Ward of the 38^th N.Y. for duty. Last night to my surprise I rec'd an order from Birney as follows:

           

"Lt. Col. Pierson 1^st NYVols is hereby ordered under arrest. He will report himself immediately at Briscoe Station"

 

This Briscoe is 10 miles from here, and I am now awaiting the train to go there. I have not the remotest idea of the cause of my arrest, and do not fear the result; but I am disgusted with my Reg'm't, and am resolved to leave it. The men all like me, and have always obeyed me. When (the Reg'm't) on the cars, whenever I passed along the Reg'm't, three cheers were given for me, in spite of my / orders to the contrary, and you know "In vino veritas"

 

I think if I was in N.Y. I might possibly get the command of one of the new Reg'm'ts. What do you think?

 

I am told that Dyckman is lying drunk at Newport News. I have arrested the Officers who are here, and who left me in Alexandria, and have taken a determined part. I am perfectly indifferent & satisfied, as happy as ever, and will abide events willingly. Dont worry at all, as thinking me uneasy &c. I have become a true Stoic, and dont care which way the wind blows, having the consciousness of having done all duties faithfully, and I think successfully. As the sapling is bent the tree is inclined and a Reg'm't commenced under such a man as is Allen, with such materials as the first is made of can never be a good one. I think I will leave it. Give my love to all at home, and please keep this letter strictly private. All my 7^th Reg'm't Gentleman Officers are detached from the Reg'm'ts on different General's staffs but one, Leland is left and he is entirely worthless. The rest of the officers are away wounded or sick. And we have a number of vacancies. Nothing of this kind could ever have occurred, if Dyckman had been worth one pin. The news from here & Pope are encouraging. We extend (my Brigade) nearly to the Rappahannock on this Rail Road.

 

I will write again soon, but believe me perfectly well, & in good spirits, and beyond seeing if any chance exists for my getting another command, or transfer, do not trouble yourself for me. I will take care of myself I warrant you.        

                                                                                               

Yr's

Fred.

 

[upside down]

 

August 25,

            1862

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