The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-02-28
Interesting Letter from Capt. Temple
Clark to the Pilot

GlaIk 10 the gIuo.,
HEAD QUARTERS 9Th Wrs. Vol,
CAMP GRIFFIN, Va, Feb. IA, 1862.
TO the Editor Of the Nanitowoc Pilot
DEAR SIR II have received private
letter from German citizen of Msnitowoc,
advising me as 10 the manner of comman-
ding my company-accusing me of perse-
cutting Germans, and threatening me with
the vengeance of Germans generally, and
of German members of my company par
tcularly. = ~
The immediate cause Of provocation to
| the writer Of that letter seems to have
been list, the reduction ofHESRY RGHR,
German, from the position of LIST Serg't
to that of private, and the resi- gnasien of
PETER ScHERFFIUs, I'd Lieutenant, as my
correspondent asserts, in consequences Of
my malicious persecution Of that individ-
usl
| will desl first with the case OF HENRY
RGxR, tha, being of the MOST import ance,
on accoun. Of the character of the man and
the consequent influence sf his conduct
upon the company. lis very we'll known
10 the members Of my company that up to
the 8th Of last October, there was no one
in the company who had my confidence
and friendship to so grea. an e1ten, as
Henry RHHR. On that day a gambling
quarrel sprsnG up between another sergt
and 4 Private Of the company, which re-
CURED my presence and authority to quiet.
The Private was very noisy and, refusing
to obey my order commanding bis silence,
I ordered Sergeant HENRY RGHa to take
him to the Guard House, and the Serg't
said 81 will no, do it ~ then repeated
my orde. to Sergean. RGHs, and he said
az shsn't do it,
Now, this Was not simple case Of dis
obedisnce OF orders, 60 be punished by
amply reducing him TO the ranks but
mutiny, punishable under the Articles of
War by death, or at the least, confinement
to hard labor for twelve months, wearing
a bsll snd chain; and had | preferred
charges against him, nothing could have
saved him iroa severe and disgrsceful
punishment. But HENRY RGHR had been
too dear to me for me to think for mo-
ment Of any such result to his insubordi-
nation. Up to that time he had been a
good and faithful officer; yet, his breach
of discipline, having been committed in
the presence Of nearly the whole company,
required punishment, and l recommended
the Colonel to reduce him, and The Colo
mel, satisfied that there Was good cause,
complied with nv recommendation. An
other Sergeant-not a German-was re-
ducsd at the same time for gambling, con
trary to the published orders the Colonel.
Since then two other Sergeants have been
reduced for neglect Of duty and general
insficiency-one is German, the other is
not. About the lat of December last,
HENRY RGHR, upon my recommendation,
was appointed Clerk in the Asst Adiu-
tant General, office at Division Head
| Quarters, and has far better position, as
to pay and duty, than the one he held be-
fore, and knows that have treated him
no: only leniently, but literally.
PETER SCuERFFIUs never had any rea-
son to complain Of my treatment Of him.
he received from me only kindness and
friendship, and although his deficiencies
were palpsble to every officer of the regi-
ment, and complaints thereof were con
stantly made 20 me of his want of knowl-
edge, yet took no steps to bring about
his removal; but, on the contrary, advised
him to study and fit himself for his posi-
ton. But [ found abou. six weeks ago,
that the company was becoming insubor-
dinate that many Of the men were cabal-
ling against the authority Of the officers
and that Lieutenant SCHERFF1Us, particu
larly, could exert no authority over the
company, and actually encouraged insub>
ordination towards ayself, l then simply
sent him before the Examining Board, and
they promptly reported against him. Hs
was notified Of their report, and permitted
to resign.
These arb the facts in regard to both of
these cases. | mover prosecuted Lieuten.
ant ScHsRTF1Us in any way, bu, on several
occasions protected him when he was put
on duty out of bis turn.
have endeavoEed to act towards the
member. Of my company as if there was
but one nationality il the company.
never entertained prejudice against any
one on account of birth place, which is
but an accident, and the character and con
duct Of the individual alone have governed
me in granting favors or inficting pun
ishment.
The strictly military duties Of the camp