Hdqt'rs 1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

3^d Brig 1^st Div 9^th Corps Army Potomac

Camp "Mountain Farm" Va.

November 1^st 1862

 

Dearest Father

                        I never have penned a letter with greater satisfaction than I do this—probably you never have received one from me, affording greater pleasure to yourself—Let me at once indite the congratulatory intelligence. The following Order was read to my command on Parade this evening—I give you it liberatim—

H'dq'tr's 1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

Camp Mountain Farm Va. 

 

November 1^st 1862

Special Order                                                                                    

            #30.

                        In compliance with the following order viz—

War Department. A.G.O.

Washington Oct 14.1862

Special Order

            #293                            —Extract—

                        V. The following Officers by direction of the President are dismissed the Service of the United States

                                    +                      +                      +                      +                                   

                        James T. Clancy         Major  1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

                        W^m L. Coles                Captain           do        do

                        Cha^s. W. Wright         Lieut                do        do

                        W^m T. Allen                Lieut                do        do

                        George W. Duncan     Lieut                do        do

                                    +                      +                      +                      +                                   

By order of the Sec'y of War

(Sign'd)           E. D. Townsend

Asst. Adjt. Gen'l

 

The above named Officers are hereby dropped from the Rolls of the 1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

By order of

J. Fred. Pierson

Col. 1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.

                                   

M. Guerin                               

Act'g Adjt.—

 

Pretty satisfactory, is it not? Clancy & Coles were served with this little pen and ink Pill immediately after Parade. If to-morrow's setting sun shines on them in any camp its expiring beams will disclose them both tied to a tree, side by side. I have notified them to leave at once. they will go at once for they know me very well. While both dirty / boasters & blackguards have reviled me behind my back, they have never yet dared to speak one disrespectful word to my face. But enough of them, I wipe my hands of all further connection with them. I say "now you Rascals, go to the Devil as fast as you please"—for the Devil will be pleased to see your long claimed faces"—So Retribution has at last come, not one of the miscreants who deserted me at Alexandria will ever have it in his power to repeat the experiment. I have reason to be proud—joining the Reg'm't at random, unknown & unknowing, the junior Officer and pitted against every other one. I have wiped them all out, and am now its Colonel. You say all this was done through "Influence" perhaps it was, but still I have worked hard, very hard; and certainly deserve some credit. Perhaps no Officer in the service, in command of a Reg'm't, has so fully the confidence and respect of both his Officers & men, as I now have. I pray God to make me worthy of it. While writing the above I was entertained with drunken oaths &c outside my tent. A poor devil of a private, being drunk / strayed into this camp (probably mistaking it for his own, he is from the 2^nd Michigan) and tried to crawl into my Asst. Surgeon's tent, whereupon said Doctor seized him by the throat and caused him to perform several pretty pirouettes in the air. This aroused the soldier, and when I went out, he and the Doctor were having quite a fair and interesting fistic encounter. I have turned the poacher over to the Brigade Guard, but this lets you see the life I lead, full of striking episodes. It is 11 o'clock P.M. and I still have to work at examining some Muster Rolls, so will say for to-night "Peace"

6 A.M. Sunday—Orders have just been rec'd to be prepared to move at 8 A.M. and I must send this letter as it is, although I hoped to make it much longer for I have much to write about. Send me on the boots Daum is making for me—let them be large & strong, a pair of Colonel's shoulder straps, and a bottle of excellent brandy, and give my love to all at home. Also send please some postage stamps. Does Charley want the Adjutancy of the Reg'm't? or either of the boys a commission?—

                                                                       

With Aff. Your's

Fred.

 

Nov 1. 1862

J. F. Pierson

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