1862 October 19 Camp near Manchester

Camp near Manchester Oct. 19th 1862

My Dear Phill & Sister
I feel very
tired today having been on duty last
night as Officer of the Guard and they
being pickets I was up until about one
oclock when I carried round the relief.
It is the hardest company to manage I ever
saw in my life the Capt. had two of them
bucked and gagged yesterday and I expect
we will have one or two of them to shoot
before long.  I am left today in command of
the company as he has gone to town although
the first Lieutenant Ballard is here which
shows me that he has confidence in me.
Uncle John was in Richmond the other
day he is now Colonel I believe, and sais
if he can get the place of 1st Lieut. or
Captain he is going to write to me imme-
diately t come on he thinks he can get
me the place as regular Aid de Camp to
General Williams I hope he may as it will
be a much better position than the one I now
occupy among these mutinous rascals.  I
missed seeing my sweetheart Miss Carrie by
one day she was at Mr. Holladay's the day
before I came down and went off home with
her father on the next day  I dont mind
telling you all my sweetheart for I think
you both will like her I know sister does anyway
she is the only girl that I would be willing
to marry and I am afraid that will never

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be as she cares nothing for me in my
opinion but we wont say any more at present
on this subject as it is humbug to talk to
you married people about sweethearts as you
will laugh at me.  I heard today that Miss
Jennie Holladay has been taken worse and
is very sick indeed I am very sorry  I would
like to go over there but I dont like to
leave Captain Rodgers often as we have our
hands full, I expect to drill the men
some tomorrow and have been reviewing
my tactics today I have not forgotten much
I must now say goodbye  remember me
to Mr Cabell and believe me as ever your
affectionate brother
                                 Richard M. Bolling

P.S.  Direct to the care of Capt.Rodgers box
340

Richard M. Bolling, 4th Virginia Cavalry

MSS 38-111