The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-04-11
Letter from Peter Scherffius.
To the Editor of the Pilot:

To the Editor Of the Pilot:
My attention was called, on my return
to Maniiowoc, to a communication pub
!lshed some weeks since, from Captain
CLARK, in which he endeayored to justify
himself under the charges which are cur
renily reported against him Of i'll treatment
of his Company. | was very much sur =
prised in reading his letter, TO see that he
endeavored to pa!liate his persecution of
myself. | will state few facts in relation
to the case, and leave it to the public 70
Judge OF the very honest manner in which
Capt. CLARK has treated his men.
The only foundation in truth for all lie
says in the communication referred TO.
having reference to the characterization of
the Company and my encouragement
thereof, his forbearance toward me under
the circumstances, and the fatherly, friend
ly advice that | should fit my self by study
to retain my position in the Company, is
the simple assertion therein, that "he did
send me before the Examining Board" I
have letters in nv possession from mem
bers o. the Company which will be produ>
cel for publication, if desired. to prove
that the only insubordina,ion exhibited by
the Company occurred after my removal
and the cause thereof was the ungenereus
treatment Of myself, by CLARK, while in
the Company, and the method he adopted
to secure my removal These proofs
which can be adduced at any time, will
show, that while for me there WAS enter
tanned by nearly the whole Company, the
best Of feeling, CLARK, Oh the contrary,
was, and Is detested by the Company, with
the exception of few plant tools
1t is, perhaps known by many of your
readers. that some months since charges
and specifications against Capt. CLARK
were drawn up 10 writing and signed by
members of the Company, and that as act
ing officer (Lieut WALKER being off duty
at the time), it was for me to present these
charges to the proper officer. | simply
discharged my duty. These charges in
part were for obtaining frauduleutly from
the Quartermaster, money that had been
accumulated from the rations of soldiers of
the Company, for the purpose Of purcha~
sing Injuries not allowed by the govern
ment, which the soldier so much needs.
Comment on the baseness Of the officer
who would speculate to his own pecunia
ry advantage on the money of the private
soldier, saved for such purposes, IS unnec
essary. | will only add what must be ap>
parent to all, tina. if those who preferred
these charges could have had the opportu
nifty to prove them-as they most certain
y would have done-Capt. CLARK would
have received his merits, and been courts
martialed at once. Why they did not
have this opportunity is attri buted BY
some to influences used bv family con
nections" with superior officers From
the time these charges we're preferred
CLARK's persecution Of myself dates He
sent me before an Examining Boar,l, where
| acquitted myself with credit. a-A was
conpImen'ed by the members of The
Board for my know edge of the duties of
an officer. Intent on carrying ont his de
sign of removing me, was again sent be
fore another Board, where he hal PREM
diced the officers composing il to such ~
extent thai | was forced to resign or re
main and endure fur her persecution.
If any apology is needed for thus calling
he attention Of the public to matters per-
sonal to myself, at a time when our brave
boys of the Company to which was az
taehed are fighting, with others, to put
down this monster rebellion, it can be
found in the persistency with which Capt.
CLARK has labored to deprive me of my
share in the glory of maintaining the
Union and Constitutional persistency
that did not end with my removal. bu,
has pursued me, through the medium OF
the public press, into the retirement to
which bis persecution has driven me.
PETER SCHERFFIUS.