Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp near Sharpsburg

Oct 22^nd 1862

Wednesday

Dear Julia

I am lying in my tent having taken out my writing materials to write to Clem but I cannot do so without first writing to you. You must tell him that I got his letter along with yours on the 13^th in the box. I have today rec’d. yours of the 18^th. We have never been at Alexandria. Rush’s lancers were about two miles from us when we were at Fredrick I saw Capt Stars of the Lancers and sent remembrance to him and Charley Cadwilde when there. His Regiment is not well spoken of – it seems to be considered a failure I was told today that their little [frennens ?] are called “hospital flags derisively I say this entre nous. – For I am sorry to hear it. Averill’s cavalry seems to be the most esteemed cavalry of the Army – I rode today to see the 12^th Infantry (Regulars) on Battalion drill was too late but saw guard mounting and  and some Squad drilling. I saw also William Sergeant and Frank Wister Captain’s in that Regiment passed today John Parter’s Head Quarters and a {?] of camps. General Reynolds took tea with us a few evenings since he came over to see our dress parade and remained until ten Oclock. I have now returned most visits which we have rec’d and am glad so many are over.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Wiliams Rush Biddle. 22 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp New Sharpsburg

Oct 19^th 1862

Head Quarters of 121^st Reg. P. V.

1^st Brigade, 1^st Division

Dear Julia

It is afternoon just after the day’s service has been broken of by a devilish shower. I have been endeavoring to write to you for the last two days but have hardly had time. One of our Captain’s (Captain Wrigly) goes back to Philadelphia on Wednesday next on a weeks furlough and anything you can send me of a portable character he will bring. I will ask him to call at the office and let you know / He is from Manayunk and poor fellow has lost his wife since he has been away / A few spermaceti candles, the little silver watch repaired, any late newspaper, a fine toothed comb a small box of dried ginger, some ginger nuts bread, another large flask with some good brandy in it and anything else you think of. Say two pair of colored flannel drawers, my measure round the waist is 36 inches, length of drawers 3 ft 3 inches. It is very difficult for me to say what I want but every now and then I think of some of our little home comforts which would be very acceptable Above all dearest I want your photograph. I like to have it by me – you cannot conceive how I long to see you and how tiresome and lonely it is to think how long it may be before I get a chance of being with you. Yesterday our Owen very unexpectedly walked into my tent. I was delighted to see him. I was at the moment busy in making out some requisitions and finished them out while he was with me. I showed him the day news you sent me and he told me he sat in from of Julie as she went in. I introduced him to Mo Ferriday and the Colonel – tried to prevail on him to stay but he was going to [Donoketown?] and left us. He can tell you much of the frightful scenes of the hospitals and hair breadth escapes. In Harper’s Weekly of the 18^th October you will see a sketch of the Antietam bridge – they Call it Burnsides bridge and write about the sharp fighting that took place there – I mention it because I forded the Antietam first about where the left of the picture begins and rode out on the other side close to the bridge up the banks.

I rode this morning with the Colonel to return the call of General Ricketts and found him and Johnny Williams, James Biddle, and their surgeon and Ben Richards – Ben Richards rode with us over the Antietam battle field and we saw the ground over which Ricketts division advanced/ He lost one in every three of his men as the reports show. I saw wheels broken 30 or 40 dead horses, quantities of cartridge box tins. Old haversacks, trees scored shattered and perforated by4, shot and in two instances large trees cut down. One tree had been twice nearly cut in half. A meeting house with 25 or 30 shot holes through it. Many unexploded shells still on the ground We passed over the part which Ricketts marched over and then went towards our Camp. We all very undecided about our movements soldiers in the field know but little beyond what they are engaged in. I hear that the butchers are ordered to return the cattle to the drovers, this seems to mean marching…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Wiliams Rush Biddle. 19 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript (excerpt):

Oct. 17. 1862

Camp Near Sharpsburg

Head Quarters 121^st

Regiment 1^st D

Dear Julia

We are still here with orders to march at short notice with two days cooked provisions in our haversacks. Yesterday we heard artillery firing west and south west of us on the Virginia side. We had various rumors about it but I believe that the most reliable is that it was a reconnaissance in force by our troops We are told that we are brigaded with the 1^st Rifles / Brigades and the 1^st, 2^nd, 5^th, & 6^th Penna Reserves but we have not yet been out as a brigade. We went out yesterday to receive a stand of colors sent to us by the Depty Secretary of State of [Penn?]. We marched to the review ground found two other regiments there for some purpose and these finding that it was not under orders from Head Quarters that we had done so – we marched back to our camp. In the afternoon the gentleman made his appearance he had been kept at one of the General’s quarters and presented the colors at our dress parade made a pretty speech declined an invitation to supper and went over to the Coin exchange Reg close by. We have had all our wall tents taken from us but these. The Colonel & Hall one the Lieut Col being absent Atwood Feuidy and I another and the three doctors the third. Our line officers have a fly to every three officers – the men are all in shelter tents – Our wagons are reduced to four two with the ams and ammunition having been sent over to the Ordinance Officer…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 17 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript: (excerpt)

Oct. 13^th 1862

Camp Near Sharpsburg

Meade’s Division

Dear Julia

I got a letter from you this morning and have been thinking of writing to you and Clem and Tom all day long but have had but little time. I woke early and let to work to get our ammunition put into two wagons to be sent to Lieut Harding the Division Ordinance Officer – this took some time after breakfast and I found I would be obliged to be in camp whilst the Colonel went out on Battalion drill – hardly had he gone when an orderly came with orders for the Quartermaster who was absent. To those I replied. Then came another orderly with a circular to know if general order No. 217 had been complied with. This I endorsed as fulfilled. Shortly after came another saying with an order from the Brigade Commander stating that two wagons sent with ammunition had only two mules each and that four was meant and that the meaning of order No 217 must be strictly complied with. So I ordered the mules to go. Soon after the Colonel returned he had dinner and after dinner got notice to get ready for immediate inspection. We did so marched the regiment out passed in review before Colonel Magilton and were then ordered to execute a number of movements by having all of what we did without difficulty but not as well as we shall hereafter do them. The ranks were then opened and knapsacks inspected and the Regiment dismissed.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 13 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript:

Camp of Meade’s Division

West of Sharpsburg – Head Quarters of Field Officers of 121^st Regt. P. V. Friday Night

Oct. 10^th ½ past 10 PM

Dear Julia,

On Wednesday afternoon at ½ past 4 O’clock PM we began to break up our Camp at Frederick. We cut down our baggage turned in quantities of accoutrements muskets &c to the Quartermaster at Frederick leaving a Lieut. in charge and finally got off with the force about 6 Oclock PM. I reported our March to Genl Paul at about that hour. We marched through the night to Jefferson about 8 miles from Frederick and after passing through the town went into a clover field of a Mr. Johnson and bivouacked at midnight – tying our horses to the fences and sleeping on the ground. Our passing through Frederick was received with many loyal greetings and Union flags waving from the level of the people I should think them loyal – although there are some bitter Secessionists in the town. At the west end of Frederick there are two roads, we took the Southern one which again forks and then we took the right hand one marching over a good road all the way. On the morning after our arrival by and Jefferson we breakfasted at Mr. Johnson’s – who is an elder brother to Cost Johnson. They are a regular Maryland family and seemed as if they heartily hated both sides ourselves for being there in the unceremonious way in which we came and the South for having been there. After breakfast we marched a mile and a half down into the valley to Catocton City. We have crossed at the Catocton Ridge during the night on the march to Jefferson. On the banks of the creek we found a few piece of bottom land found where we stacked arms and remained during the heat of the day. We bathed and washed made the men do the same and rested until ½ past 4 O’clock when we again resumed the march…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 10 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp New Frederick Md

October 7. 1862

Dear Julia

We are still here endeavoring to get ourselves in marching order – all are ordered positively to march tomorrow. And expect to go on tomorrow afternoon to Sharpsburg. We are to report to the first Army Corps. I wish we were in better order but I cannot perceive that there is much judgment exercised any where as yet. Many Red tape obstacles and Red tape forms required not to be had at the proper offices. We have less than 700 men but I think pretty good ones. I wish we had some genuine army man nearer to us who could speak more from experience but fear that I am in error when I suppose that they possess the experience I expect. We want very much some officer to tell the men what to do, what to carry with them, and what to leave and how and where to leave it. An army inspecting officer does go round to visit the camps but in our case instead of getting information from him his inquiries were merely directed to the ordinary discipline usually enforced in the Army by the Sergeants who receive recruits – but which in our case as the sergeants are comparatively new men and the men entirely green, it is very difficult to enforce in a body of 700 if every sergeant is not constantly on the watch…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 7 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among others engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp New Frederick. Md

Sunday Oct 5^th 1862

Dear Julia

We are yet in Camp near Frederick. I write from our camp on a rather chilly evening – living under the canvas fly of a hospital tent which accommodates all the field officers of the regiment open to all the winds. We had our usual Sunday inspection of arms accoutrements and Cartridges. We have to ride about ¾ of a mile to dinner – the inspection was pretty long and brought us near to 12 Oclock – after dinner at 2 O’clock we had service on the ground of a regiment adjoining (the 29^th Ohio) were there was some shade. We sang several hymns and had a fine sermon. In the evening we had a Union prayer meeting at which the men sang several hymns (Guide Me Oh Thou Ve) (“There’ll be no more sorrow there”) – Our chaplain has so far had the effect of showing the men that all such ceremonials would be cherished by the officers and I think the influence of why it will be more openly acknowledged by all in the corps because they know it will be respected. Our wagons arrived tonight – I think we will probably start tomorrow for Sharpsburg – distant we understand 22 miles we march and hope to get through soon after 24 hours. Our men are new and don’t know what marching is but I think will do very well…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 5 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among others engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript:

Camp New Frederic

Friday October 3^rd 1862

Dear Julia

We are still in camp just South of Frederic. We are in want of our teams and everything we expected to be supplied with they seem to be short of. We have barely got kettles and food enough to prepare. The daily food of the men and have just twenty axes and spades in the whole regiment. Our teams were expected today but they have not yet arrived. There are and to be some 7000 wounded men still in the churches and hospitals in the town. We get our meals daily at a private house who prepare meals for the Union people. I have not seen anything Secesh. as yet Although I have heard of one or two instances of such expressions We have been ordered to march to Sharpsburg about 27 miles distant over two ranges of hills north & west of us. As soon as our teams arrive we will march and they ought to be here now. We may march tomorrow but hardly before night if then. Our men are all in shelter tents that is one tent of which two men each carry one side. They cut a couple of forked sticks and wedge pole and stretch the tent over it [picture] these tents are about 3 feet high and about 5 feet long. Just enough to be shelter from rain and sun. Sometimes a third man uses his piece to make a back to the tent. We have a fly of a hospital tent stretched over a stake on two mashed boxes for props and the corners stretched on poled held out by gags [diagram] it makes a queer looking tent and it accommodates the Colonel Lieut Col. – Major – Adjutant Chaplain and sometimes another I don’t believe any other regiment has such limited accommodation We have just returned from a two mile ride to the Monocacy to bathe. We had a delightful bath, I suppose we shall not get a mail for sometime and I shall therefore be deprived the pleasure of hearing from you. I begin to appreciate something of the devastation which an army creates, I see whole fences go for firewood and a regiment opposite to us on a hillside we can see making a covering to their fence rail tents with corn stalks cut in a farmer’s close by. I met Cadwalader Biddle yesterday in the street. He had been over to our Camp but came up here on business. He had no idea of meeting us. Clem Baudey was also in out Camp. He seems to have earned innumerable friends by his services which have been great beyond question. I have given you all I have to say pretty thoroughly. Camp life is monotonous enough when I don’t hear from home We have the battalion drill in the afternoon from 3 to 5. My wing was not under my Command for two hours. The Right Wing with Chapman. Afterwards we had the usual Dress parade. Rush’s Cavalry I hear are about 3 miles off – they passed through Frederic today. Averill has been made a Brigadier General. He is the other promising Cavalry officer and I fear his appointment is not very pleasant to your cousin Richard. It is I think a step over his head. We are ordered to form the first Army Corps I think it is Hooker’s. He is said to be “the Coming Man” – At least he is the one we understand to be most in favor in Washington – McClellan not excepted. Love to Uncle and to all the darling little ones show Alick my pictures of the tents and tell him that is all we have to sleep under not larger than the sheet you have every night. Give love to Clem and tell him I want to hear all his experience from him. Kiss darling Harry Julia and sweet Winny. Remember me to Cassy and Maria.

Your aff. Husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 3 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among others engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript [excerpt]:

Camp New Frederick

Oct. 2^nd 1862

We are in Camp a little South & East of Frederick on the highest ground near the town/ We pitched out shelter tents last night these tents are comprised of three pieces of canvas duck. Three men to a tent each taking one piece on his shoulders. Last night we got orders to march to Sharpsburg and report to the First Army Corps (I believe it is Hookers) Sharpsburg is about 25 miles off above Harpers Ferry. We shall cook two days rations today and march towards night. Last night we really bivouacked. We had nothing but the fly of a hospital and for all the field and staff. It rained moderately during the night but we were comfortable. There is a very large number of troops here and more hourly arriving, they are sent forward without the means of cooking oftentimes we well do. They say you will get all you want when you arrive but we don’t find it so. We have a regiment alongside of us with 125 men in it which came out 18 mos ago 960 strong and they tell us that the new regiments look like whole divisions. So far everything seems to be going along well. Some of the men seem to be falling off with the trial they have had but they don’t know how much worse off others are. We expect our teams which came by turnpike to meet us today and therefore think we can get along. We yesterday drew 306 rations for our force…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 2 October 1862. Rush:IV:30:24

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript [excerpt]:

Sunday evening 28^th September

Camp Chase Virginia

Dearly loved Wife

I date my letter this evening to tell you all the events of the day. At ten Oclock this morning we had the usual movements of the men for inspections of accoutrements across knapsacks all then present to the hospital. Ordinance tent tents of the field and stuff – line officers-Men sutlers shop & Commissary – much of it was unexpected but they passed the examination well. I thought the arms particularly good. But it took nearly three hours to get through it all and immediately after I had a detail made to pitch a large fly (the covering of an officer’s tent very much like a sheet stretched tight over a clothes line) to have church under. We had several hymns – “Welcome sweet day of rest” – “There is a land of pure delight” “When I can read my title clear” and prayers with a short sermon, this brought us to near three O’clock. I then got notice that I was to be “Brigade Field Officer of the Day” tomorrow and looked over my books to get them together. At ½ past 5 we had evening parade and at 6 I went by appointment to talk over Brigade with Genl Kane – I returned at seven and went to out proper meeting. We had six or seven hymns…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 28 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23