New Bern N.C.

Aug 22/62

 

Dear Mother

                        Your kind letter of the 7^th arrived heare last weak and should have been answered ere this but owing to my having to go on guard besides being in comand of the Co I have had to wait untill now I have been in command all most three weaks. I had not been heare more than a weak before I was put in command. Capt Brewester is detailed on a court Martial and the first Lieut is sick so that brings me in to the harness, pretty soon for a new Lieut to be in command, but I am glad it is so becaus it makes me look out the sharper and besides I am learning all the faster. our Co is the right / flank Co. that is one of the hardest places in the Regt as I often have to move my Co. long before the rest do and as I am at the head of the line I have no one to go by but have to go it alone. but so far I have got along verry well. the Maj gave me a compliment the other night. I was saying that every time I gave an order I was almost affraid to for feare that it would be wrong. he said that I ought not to feel so for he thought that I got along verry well and in fact a good deal better than some of the first Lieuts that had been commissioned only since we came out. I felt very much pleased to heare this from him as he is a man that dont deal in flattery or soft soap. 

 

I like my new position verry much and think that I shall get a long first rate. at any rate I am determined to do my best. if I aint the best Lieut I dont mean to be the poorest if I can help it. in your letter you say that you dont get strong you must not work so hard you try to do too much. dont over work yourself. you will only get sick again. our Capts feel very much disappointed to think that the Chaplain did not bring out their wives, but it was not his fault. I think that if they try again in September that they will succeed. I have no newes to tell and so I will close my regards to all my love to you and ours. Kiss Fanny for me.

                                                                       

Your Son

Richard

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