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Blair Bolling's Memoir of his service with the 35th Infantry during the War of 1812 - Courtesy of his descendant Blair W. Bolling (Korean War Veteran - 45th Infantry Division)
page 26
In looking over my old papers this morning I was pleased to find among them the following
memorandoms, which I have determined to transcribe for my own statisfaction and such of my friends
as may wish to know how I spent my time during the late war with Great Britten. I must acknowledge
it was that part of my life which (as yet) I valiew most highly though I did nothing to distinguish
myself in an eminent degree, yet I was ready had occasion required, to have defended (to the utmost
of my abilities) my country from a powerful enemy, by being in the army of the United States -
February 9th 1821 Blair Bolling.
On the 31 day of March 1813 I was appointed a First Lieutenant in the 35 Regiment United States,
Infantry. Which appointment, I accepted on the 4th of April 1813 being ordered to report myself to
Captain Benjamin B. Jones of Amelia County for further orders. I was stationed at Paineville, on
the recruiting service until the last of June following, when I was ordered with my recruits to
Petersburg where I arrived
page 27
on the 1st day of July. Set out from there, for Portsmouth on the seventh, where I arrived on the
12th, with a detachment of seventy odd men of whom I had command.
By order of General Robert Taylor, part of our regiment were to be stationed in Fort Nelson. On
the 1th of August Captain Benjamin B. Jones being in ill health I marched the Company assigned to
him, into Fort Nelson and had the entire command of it, until some time in February 1814 where his
health being improved enabled him to do duty.
On the 2d of March, 1814, I was ordered to Craney Island where the principal part of our Regiment
was then stationed, and was attached to Captain Isaac T. Prestons, company, in which I did duty
until the 30th of April following, when I was ordered on the Recruiting service to be stationed in
Richmond where I arrived on the 3d day of May 1814 and remained until the 3d of November following.
When agreably to order I set out for Norfolk on board the Scn= John. where I arrived on the 7th
Ins't again to endure the toils and hardships of Camp. the weather being extremely cold and,
unusualy, wet much
page 28
sickness prevailed in the army. in consequence of which, duty, was harder to those who enjoyed that
inestimable blessing health* (FN-Of whom I was always fortunate to be one.) than it had ever been
since I joined it. I was attached to a company then commanded by Captain William O. Allen and
inconsequence of his Indisposicion commanded it until sometime in in February 1815, when Capt
Walter T. Cocke was ordered to take charge of it. I continued with that company until the 15th of
march 1815 when the noncommisionedofficers musicians and privates who enlisted for the War were
discharged, an honorable termination having taken place to the war with England. I, with many of
the other officers, remained at Norfolk until the 29th Inst where I embarked for Richmond on board
the sloop Elizabeth, where I arrived the 2d of the next month April. I obtained, previously to
leaving Norfolk, a Furlough until the 1st of May following at the expiration of which, I was to
have returned, but in the mean time I was informed by good authority that it was not necessary for
the officers who were on furlough, to return to their
page 29
respective Posts, in consequence of which I reported myself by letter to Col'o James Bankhead the
Adjt Genl informing him that any communication addressed to me in Richmond would duly be attended
to.
Agreably to resolution of Congress the Army was to have been reduced to 10000 and the supernumerary
officers discharged forthwith, but the Treasury, not being in a situation to discharge demands, the
Army was ordered to remain under the present organisation until the 15th of June 1815 which would
give time, for the selection of Officers for the Peace Establishment, the payment of
arearages,etc----
I will hear take occasion to mention, that soon after the conclusion of the war, an order was
Isssued from the war department, requiring of the commandants of Regiments, a list, of the names,
of all the officers of their respective Corps, who wished to be retained on the Peace
establishment, to which list I would not have my name afixed. consequently they had not an
oppertunity of scratching mine from it had they have been so disposed.
page 30
I remained in the country about Richmond, occasionally attending the Post office for Public orders,
during which time having nothing to do, I visited my friends, and spent my time very agreably, as
you may suppose, my pay going on in the interim. The 15th of June arrived and no money was yet in
the hands of the Pay master to pay officers, and had there been, he was ordered to pay only such as
would sware that they had no unsettled account with the United States. which I was not prepared to
do, as I had forwarded mine, to the War department some time before, and had not heard from them
since. I therefore concluded to go to the City of Washington, settle my account, draw my pay
etc...For that purpose I set out from Richmond on the 7th of July 1815, and on the 13th had made a
settlement of my accounts, drawn my pay, and after taking a hasty trip to Baltimore, I returned to
Richmond where I arrived on the 16th of July 1815. My Public career being for the Present at an
end, I now return to sivil life glorying in being citizen of a country
page 31
Where Peace and plenty abound uncontrolled by tyrants powere or the shackles of a Monrachy.
Blair Bolling late 1st Lieutenant 35 Regiment United States Infantry
It will be amis to give the reader some Idea of the state of the army, as it respected their
duties, health etc while I was on the Norfolk station. and in doing so I shall only relate
sercumstances, as they occur to me from memory, without any other data to be guided by.
The prinsipal duty which it performed, was to guard the sea coast, which was in constant state of
Blockade, to keep themselves in readiness to meet an enemy who were daily expected to attack us, to
erect fortifications etc. much of which was done. For those purposes strong pickets were required,
large details for fatigue, and rigid disiplin was observed, the duties of our own Camp aded to
those, as you immajin, gave us full employment. however I can with pleasure as well as truth, add
that they although arduous were performed without a murmer.
In June 1813 the Recruiting offisers of the 35th Regiment
page 32
were ordered to assemble their recruits at the principal rendezvous Petersburg, to be immediately
organised and marched to Norfolk. Information having been received that that place was in eminent
danger of being captured by the British.
The success of the enemy at Hampton, their first attack in that quarter, caused much uneasiness
among the inhabitants of Norfolk for the safety of their town but their being repulsed at Craney
Island in some degree inspired them with confidence, notwithstanding, many families had left and
were then leaving it to seak safety in some more retired part of the country. I do not alude to
that part of its citizens who were able to bear arms for I beleave, that city could boast almost as
many patriots, as effective men. What was much more to be dreaded by the army stationed at the
place, than the Swoard, was the climate which doomed to eternity in numbers Incredable, the hale
and blooming youth of our country and some of its ornaments. I will not make my readers shuder by
a relation of particulars, sufise it, to say
page 33
that for weeks together the burying ground was never unfrequented by those who were consigning to
our mother earth the remains of those whose spirits had flown to that distant and uncertain
country, from whose bourn no traveller returns.
I have reason to be thankful that during this scene of distress I was always healthy, and enabled
to perform my duty. Our feelings can beter be imagined than described, at least those of us, who
came from the uper, and senteral, parts of this state, who when we left our homes, and friends,
parted with them, as though we wear destined no more to return which, alas, was the case with too
many of us.
Many applications were made by Colo Joseph Goodwyn our commandant for orders to march his Regiment*
(FN-35 Regiment Us Infantry) to the northwestern frontier but all in vain. We wear kept on that
station until peace, without having an opportunity of sharing the honours, with our bretheren in
arms, who being in a more salubrious climate* (FN-Canada) sufered only from Inclementcy of the
weather, the fategues of the march and in Glorious Battle.
page 34
some of whom have immortalised their names. However it was not calculated, that Norfolk would have
escaped an attack, for great part of 1813-14 and 15. a large fleet blockaded that coast and the
army wear in daily expectations of being assailed.
Blair Bolling
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