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:

Dear Julia,

Your fruit basket of grapes apples and pears came last night. We shall have them this morning at breakfast. Yesterday afternoon it rained and we had no drill but in the evening we had our usual evening parade. We are anxious to get away from here but I presume that I will be here for some time yet. If you can send me the next time you pack up any things for me, a tin lunch box about six inches long by four wide. I had one in the back room of the 3^rd story back on a shelf in the closet but you may not be able to find that. It is useful to carry a piece of meat in in one’s pocket. If you can send me that and a good knife. One of those [illeg.] gathering things if one with large blades and good implements can be got. They cost pretty dear I think but would be useful. I today dispensed some of your blackberry cordial to a sufferer and am very grateful indeed for the kind reminiscences of you. You don’t know how I feel the prospect of our long separation. The trial of danger may be terrible to the strongest, but when I think of the sweet home I have left and the great happiness I have always had in my married life with its surroundings I do think I have left very unusual joys for this new life. I have just finished putting up a tent for Mr. Ferriday our Chaplain expected here today. And also another for our surgeon in chief. Last night we had a cold night of it and it tried a good many of us. I was not uncomfortable. Your lamp has been of the greatest service. It is consistently asked for indeed it is the only one the field & staff possess. We have a Connecticut regiment alongside of us 1040 strong for young men but I have not yet seen anything I like better than the 121^st.

I heard that [Revost’s?] regiment has been sadly cut up. We might have been in the same mischance if we had [illeg.] but when they marched we had none.

I am pleased with the composition of our regiment and think we have a very fair chance of doing well on the field. I begin to feel as if I had all that was necessary for me to have if we march. Everything is very much cut down. There is little to speak of beyond our daily camp life. Every afternoon I see long lines of men in distant fields going through evolutions of battalion drill. And in the afternoon hear the music of regiment after regiment beating off in dress parade sometimes six or seven distinct bands are heard at the same time or the wind is sometimes strong. We have but little silences.

As I again take up my pen I have just come in after battalion drill and evening dress parade. Gen. Casey orders another Division Review for tomorrow and we are getting ready for it. Your box unopened, I am now getting just called to come to supper. Your lamp shining on my writing  New Hampshire Regiment 1040 strong marched us on drill and have pitched their camp in the woods of Arlington close by. Thank you for the box-It was very acceptable but whilst near Washington it is hardly worth the trouble you so kindly take. The butter is indeed a luxury and the cheese will be acceptable to us. I shall keep it for a march. Beef tongue and chickens we can get from Washington. The New Hampshire Massachusetts men have lit fires in the woods where they are encamped and it has a fine effect I am going over with Chapman in a few minutes to the Serg. Generals. Love to Uncle and our dear little ones, Alec + Harry and Julia + Irving. Tell Alec we gave all our drummer boys red capes (not so pretty as his.) but they look very nicely together. It is very pleasant to think you may soon see this scrawl. It is all I can hope for a long time + beloved. Our Chaplain arrived this evening. He has favorably impressed me.

Your affectionate husband

Alex

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 25 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23

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 Chase

Tuesday 22^nd Sept 1862

Dear Julia

I am lying in my tent at ½ past 9 o’clock writing by the light of a candle stuck in the socket of a rusty old bayonet picked up on the battle ground. Today your box arrived the bushel of grapes came last night – We had them this morning for breakfast and some I sent to the mess of Rosengarten & Hulse and the rest to the sick in the Hospital to whom I also gave your lemons and the cotton surrounding of the box also to a rheumatic patient there is a good deal of sickness prevalent in and about the camp. Dysentery and fevers – but we have two good physicians – Drs Ramsay & Comfort – Our principal Doctor Hottenstein though a man of acquirement is not I think so well adapted to the hospital as either of his assistants. We today were received for the second time by Genl Casey there were about seven regiments and two batteries out.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 22 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23

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 be involved 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:

Dear Julia,

I have had a pretty busy time yesterday and today. We are now in T L Kane’s Brigade who has his tent about 200 yrds from our Camp in the woods. Our regiment and a battery of artillery are the only troops as yet in this Brigade which is the 3^rd Brigade, Casey’s Division. The Brigadiers of this Division are I believe Generals Briggs, Paul & T L Kane. Today we were reviewed by Genl Casey on the flat ground beyond the Long Bridge there were Seven Regiments and two batteries of Artillery in line – perhaps 7000 men in all. The line was fairly formed and the Division passed by Genl Casey in quick time paying him all the honors. It must at least have been satisfactory – our men were the only ones who came with knapsacks and overcoats. They did not like it much at first but after the day was over were pleased at it. We now have all out arms and cartridges and are ready to march at short notice. I got 40,000 pounds of the Bartholow Cartridge (George Alexander’s) from Washington yesterday – for two nights this week he put out 100 men in front of part of the line of forts to give notice of an approach during the night

The picket captured a trooper hiding about after midnight belonging to one of the Cavalry regiments.

We are gradually learning our business and I hope every day will find us more proficient. It seems so strange to me to think that Arlington is so near to us. One camp is just outside of the estate and the firewood of the camp is all cut on it – I have today just become familiar with the forts and positions of the defences. We have every evening a dress parade but we are sadly in want of musicians and a band which we hope in time to get. I expect tomorrow to hear from you to day I got a letter from the Office, Your last mentioned that Uncle had paid the claim awarded by Evans & Hemphill

Please send me any letter from them which you may have I should like to see it. You so indeed seem to have been active about the houses – I suppose 714 Walnut St is now entirely on your hands Clem gone to Chambersburg I am afraid it is too much for him. Spencer Miller I see is Provost Marshall there. We are in expectations of something every day. Today is Muster day for inspections of arms Sunday and Service has been ordered at 12 o’clock

We are very anxious to get into some other brigade that is not under T L K’s command but I don’t see at present how it is to be done

Give Aleck and Harry & Julia & Winny kisses for me and tell Aleck to learn to write to Papa who is very anxious to have a note from him. What has Clem done about Patrick and the houses How you must be bothered with the houses and with Clem away to

We are just getting ready for parade

Good by

Alex

I have not a moment to spare

Sep 21^st 1862

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 21 September 1862. Rush IV:30:23

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:

Dear Julia

We are still at Camp Chase and now Brigaded with Thor L Kane for our Brigadier. We are the only Regmt assigned to his New Command and you may suppose not very willingly. We have a kind of feeling that he may have picked us out of the New Regiments but we don’t want to be make a bolsted of or to have a traveling correspondent with us for the press and think hee yet may have a chance to go somewhere else. We are getting along slowly not exactly according to my mind but advancing step by step with every prospect of good regiment the men are pleased and contented except some few to whom the bounty could not be paid. I looked anxiously through the mail bag last night for a letter from you hope I shall get one today. I sent part of my baggage and books back to Philadelphia and my watch to Tom by a Mr. Conarroe I wish you would get me an Officer’s knap sack made of leather a man named Brown H S Brown I think, in Chestnut St near 7^th or 8^th makes them. A round one of leather rather large size with a flap covering all the outside. The strap goes on over the shoulder it has several pockets – in short it is a light roomy sack I could carry on horseback – the larger ones I rather prefer, send me with it three or four leather straps about 30 inches long ½ inch wide with a buckle and bored fully of holes. I shall be very glad to get on some real duty. Everything seems slow but we must learn slowly and I feel the necessity of having some one who knows on the spot excepting as regards drill I think all that we can do ourselves Glenn Bradley was with us yesterday – Love to Uncle and the Dear Dear little ones. Tell Alick & Harry & Julia that Papa thinks constantly about them and hopes to find them good children when he next sees them. Kiss little Winny– the dear little boys photograph I have in my notebook which has been of the greatest use to me – and is always with me

Breakfast is just ready and out Quartermaster is going to town with the letters. Remember me to Clem and Tom and to Miss Cassy & Maria who I hope are still enjoying good health. Tell Clem to send Patrick to clean out the wine and let him look after 1626 Walnut St daily Moonley has just summoned me to breakfast

Your Affec husband

Alex

Tuesday Sept 15^th

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 15 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23

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]

Sunday Morning, September 14^th 1862, Camp Chase

Dear Julia,

I have rec’d your letter with Winny’s photograph –We are still at Camp Chase –I went into Washington by order yesterday crossing at Georgetown at the old aqueduct bridge and down Pennsylvania Avenue to the War Dept where business of the Regiment took me– after doing as much as I could I sent Mooney, who was with me into a market to buy provisions–he did not return to me for two good hours–I thought he had possibly taken that opportunity to get some liquor and was over come. So I took the halter of his horse

fastened it to my saddle low and lead to the old Bridge—found the bridge temporarily impassible and men at work defilading the draw expecting to finish it I am guessing. I therefore rode up to Pennsylvania Avenue and met Adjutant Hale and our ambulance with some of the officers [illegible] close at G. Willards and gave Hale the horse to ride. We rode back to camp over the Aqueduct Bridge in Georgetown and Fort Corcoran — I lost the way and met a Brigadier General in the woods– I believe General Briggs –we made out the road by Arlington and I got back to Camp–In getting my pass into Washington I first went to the Old Arlington house now Heintzelman’s Headquarters — They referred me to our immediate Chief General Whipple at Fort Corcoran, just above Georgetown, and there I got my pass. To me Washington is the most unattractive spot I ever was in. I speak only of the town for I have never been inside of any of its buildings but it has to me the effect of finery set in soiled material. Diamonds on rags

Everything seems out of place — the dirt and the splendor – a thing that is beautiful can usually be admired regardless of its surroundings but here it seems to be different. I cant for a moment contemplate one without being struck by the other – we now have 600 muskets and expect to march tomorrow at least so says the Colonel — I have sent my watch up by Mr. [illegible] to be left with [illegible] for it wont go–Ask him to have it mended. I got a letter from Tom and Mr Peale. Ask them to let me know how the [bounty?] matter Turns out. I have had good health so far Mooney came back perfectly sober about an hour after me having crossed in a wagon. I don’t think he will keep me waiting another time. He was perfectly sober.

Love to Uncle and kiss all the little ones Aleck, Harry, Julia, and Winny and tell Aleck and Harry Papa wants to hear about their reading and hopes Aleck will soon send him a nice long letter all about Chestnut Hill and Harry, Julia, Winny and the grapes and apples and the Sunday school and Miss Kneedle and the [Donkey?] and [Bob?].

Your Aff[illeg.] Husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 14 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23

Capt. Henry Jonathan Biddle was the older brother of Alexander Biddle. He was Assistant Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Reserves and was fatally wounded at the battle of New Market Cross Roads on June 30, 1862.

Transcript:

Copy of a letter on the death of Capt. H.J. Biddle

Richmond July 20^th 1862

My dear Madame

The most grievous task that has ever fallen my lot compels me to address you now. My heart has been almost broken by the sad occurrences which the enclosed letters will reveal to you.

I cannot offer you consolation which even I cannot gather to myself. The above alone to whose care your husband committed you can do this.

But I may tell you I was with my friend Harry in his last moments. He was calm collected + resigned to his hard fate. He died, as he had lived, like a man, with all the noble sentiments of his nature in full development. His brother Tom to whim I have written will give you full particulars relative to this sad bereavement which believe falls upon me too heavily.

Most truly and respectfully your friend

Gen. A McCall

Richmond V.

Chimborazo Hospital

July 20^th 1862

Mrs. H. J. Biddle

Carlyle Pa

Dear Mollie

I have fought the battle of life, as hard as I could, but I feel that I am now going. I write to bless you and all my dear children before I die.

I pray my God to have mercy on my soul through all the means provided by him.

Good night. May God bless you.

H.J. Biddle

Dictated to an attendant who wrote it down

Harry died that same Evg

Citation: Henry Jonathan Biddle, letter to Mary D. Biddle. Richmond, 20 July 1862. Rush IV:37:40

Although this carte de visite is undated, the combination of the baby and the spoon bonnet that Julia is wearing suggests that it may have been taken either early in 1862, after birth of James Wilmer Biddle on 22 Nov 1861 or in early 1863 after birth of Louis Biddle on 12 Mar 1863.

Unknown photographer, carte de visite of Julia Williams Rush Biddle. Philadelphia, ca. 1862-3. 2006.690.