Headquarter's 1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

3^d Brig 1^st Div 3^d Corps Army Potomac

Camp near Edward's Ferry Md.

October 17 1862

 

My Dear Father

                        I have just received Special order #285 dated Washington, Adjt. General's Office October 9, 1862 discharging Colonel Dyckman from the Service. He went away this morning to attend the Board of Inquiry, at Poolesville some six miles from here, and is now undoubtedly fighting hard—poor drunkard—he will not live in this contest to fight again. Yesterday morning I received the Proceedings of the Court Martial in the cases of Clancy & Coles, copies of both are inclosed herein. I want you to read carefully the remarks of Gen'l Birney in the case of Coles, and then no longer doubt the pluck of the 1^st. As soon as I took command of the Reg'm't I at once began to work day & night, correcting the petty evils & abuses in the command itself, and organizing some system in the Adjutant's Office. The greatest evil in perfecting a complete state of subordination and discipline in the Reg'm't I have found to be the necessity of referring complaints to a Court Martial. The Court must be constituted, convened, adjourned & it's proceedings forwarded for revision and all this before the culprit can receive his / just punishment. Then the Court not understanding the circumstances that effect the prisoner's company or Reg'm't as regards locality, convenience &c. will probably give a sentence impossible to be executed, and therefore worse than none. Soldiers are in some respect like brutes, the efficiency of punishment depends much upon its immediately following the execution of the crime. The sentence of a Court does not reach the prisoner until the remembrance of the deed committed is almost effaced, he therefore thinks it more unjust. On my return I found a General Order giving to Field Officers the authority pertaining to a Regimental Court Martial. I yesterday and the day before by virtue of said power, held Court in my tent, and tried some ten cases, and awarded the punishments. Yesterday at Parade I wished that you might be present, to witness quite an interesting scene. I was determined to make the most out of the fine remarks of Gen'l Birney, and the discomfiture of Capt. Coles. I had Parade half an hour earlier than usual. The line being formed by my Adjutant and turned over to me, I formed square facing inwards, and then had the best rhetorician in the Reg'm't read the several orders. First the sentences awarded by my court / for offences committed the day before, and then the court martial proceedings in regard to Clancy & Coles. He had practised several times before, the reading of Birney's revision of Coles's Case, and now spoke it out beautifully. Not a word was said, or a man stirred for a few seconds after he had concluded, and so I rode forward and said: "I have formed you into square, my brother soldiers, that each one might the better hear this noble tribute to your good conduct, this splendid encomium on your bravery. I shall forward a copy of it to the State authorities, not alone to eradicate any ill, or dubious impressions prevailing there in regard to our Reg'm't, but that they too may know, and applaud your good behavior. Let us then go on, stronger in unity, firmer in spirit; resting assured that if we do so, the Glorious Empire State shall yet be proud to receive into its archives an account of the exploits of the first Reg'm't it sent into the field, custodian of its flag, and to battle for its rights. We have all been in service now for many months, long enough to understand our duties, let us resolve then, to perform them". The line was formed again, and after Parade which was the best one I ever rec'd from the Reg'm't, the companies were / marched to their streets & dismissed. For half an hour afterwards the air was wild with cheers &c. The impression created was just as I desired, that of greater pride & esprit de corps. I shall read or have read on Parade the order discharging Dyckman to night. Clancy is yet in limbo—Coles has left for Headquarters Provost Guard at Poolesville. He will not resign for he has no sense of degradation, and lacks the instincts of a gentleman. I have written to the Gov. about recruiting &c. I have just rec'd a line from Henry, and must answer it at once. Tell Frank to send me the newspapers, weeklies &c and Harpers magazine. Give my Love to all. Before I conclude however I must confess to the great egotism manifested in this letter, but you know me, and so I dont care. I now expect every day my commission as Colonel. How little I dreamt it, when I parted from you in the sombre cabin of the State of Georgia, as junior Captain, ignorant yet respectable, of the 1^st Reg'm't—Col. W^m H. Allen. Write me, dear Father soon & believe me

                                                                       

Sincerely & Aff.

Yr. son

Fred.

 

Please send me                                                            

some postage stamps—                                                          

SOURCES