1^st Reg'm't N.Y.V.      

December 31^st 1862

 

Dear Father

                        I have already written to you in duplicate, of the return of Clancy to the Reg'm't and because of the negligence or will at Albany in not sending the commissions of Van Tuyl & Leland, of my being forced to put him on duty. Birney has taken up Clancy's side, and together with Berry is trying to force him on me, and get me in trouble. Birney seems to be willing to descend to the meanest & most despicable measures for the gratification of his pique and resentment against myself & Reg'm't. My having so badly beaten him in his efforts to consolidate my Reg'm't, and my having laid his previous unjust conduct towards me, before the War Department together with my refusal, by acts, on many occasions to toady and grovel before him, has so filled his little dirty soul with vindictive and ex parte thoughts & promptings towards me, as now to be observable in all his actions & words having reference to my Brigade. Berry is a juster man, and his course is constrained or politically influenced by Birney (Berry expects to be a Major-Gen'l & mustn't loose Birney's favor) He merely acts as a little mirror or reflector for Birney, throwing off the same thoughts as Birney casts upon him. It seems Birney wants to get the First consolidated with some pet organization of his—the 40^th—and is making every effort to get me out of the way, fairly or unfairly would be the same to him. He has consequently sent to me since Clancy's return about two / dozen orders, made as unnecessary and offensive as possible, in the hope that I would get provoked and disobeying give him some handle to injure me.

 

I have knowing this, been very careful how I acted. In the meanwhile I have written a strong but wishful letter to Sec. Stanton accompanying it with a copy of the order restoring Clancy, and praying for its revocation, also copy of a letter handed to me by Gen'l Berry entirely unsolicited and a copy of which I inclose herein. This letter is the antithesis to Berry's actions. I sent also a Protest against C's coming back signed by every Officer in the Reg'm't, also certificates as to C's character. These papers I manoeuvred through to Hooker, and he told me he would read them carefully and forward them. I got Birneys approval with great effort, and while I sat at in the tent of the A.A.G. to Gen'l Hooker, Birn an hour afterwards Birney came in and said to me "I take back my approval of those papers Sir. I disapprove of them altogether". And he is the only one who has so written upon them. Last night an order came from my friend Birney placing me under the closest arrest, as though a murderer, and ordering me not to leave my tent without the most urgent necessity, nor to hold communication with any one. As before he assigns no reason or cause. I am perfectly easy however, he can prove nothing against / me but that would be to my credit. Not content with this he has ordered Clancy to assume command, and has sent over an aid several times to see that Clancy still commands.

 

I managed so as to have Clancy send in his resignation yesterday, and gave it to the A.A.G. of Gen'l Berry last night to forward—Berry I understand sent for Clancy, and had him tear it up. I didn't intend to write to you any of these particulars, as I know it will tend to worry you, but be assured it does not worry me any. I find innocence a pretty good stand by, in case of persecution, and if I didn't have any fighting to do now, after having engaged in it so long, I would feel lonely. I have sent a copy of all the papers mentioned herein as forwarded through Headquarters, as well to Hon. A. S. Diven & R. B. Van Valkenberg and have requested them to lay the case before the authorities in Washington.

 

If the commissions had been rec'd from Albany of Van Tuyl & Leland, all this trouble would have been spared me, and I am very anxious indeed to get Van Tuyls anyhow that he may take the command away from Clancy. I will write again soon, give my love to all & believe me

                                                                                   

Your's Aff.

Fred.

 

Had you not better write to Diven?

and any other M. C. you know? 

 

If Gov. Morgan has not made the appointments, I inclose a letter to W^m B. Leonard a politician who I understand can get Gov. Seymour to make them—

If necessary please see Leonard—

 

1862

Dec. 31

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