Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp at Paoli Mills

Dec 16^th 1863

Dear Wife

We hear today that corduroy roads have been built on both sides of the RRs and the Quarter Master’s department has been ordered to cease putting up stables. This indicates a move we believe in retreat to a position nearer to Washington. Since we left the railroad line the Corps in charge of it has been building Roads and we also hear they have had three more killed and some twenty captured by Guerillas. One Colonel wounded in the arm. I think our little force did some what better and we had much fewer men. Time wears on and I see no change of prospects at present. We have today rumors of the 1st and 6^th Corps being sent to Georgia but I hear of no change in orders as to furloughs or leaves of absence.

I still live in hopes that the darkest hour of our separation is past and that I may soon hope for a day of dawn but it has not yet come. We have just built stables for horses got ready for inspections on the 18^th and are moderately comfortable.

God Bless you all and lead us soon together again

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 16 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Dear Uncle

Your letter of 11^th (inst) came today. I was very glad to see such evidence of your good health as its firm handwriting but very sorry that I can not as yet surmise myself any clear hope of getting out of service. I shall however try hard and try again. I am now waiting to make a final issue of ordinance stores for this year and if the Ordnancy Office send me the Certificate I hope to get I shall immediately send in a resignation. I fear that Kenly & Newton will both disapprove but I hope if Meade remains that I shall receive aid from him. This is however, but a hope. Failing success in this way I think (if I do not do so before) of writing to Frank Blair. I have an idea too that Edw.d M Biddle of Carlisle through Gov. Carsten and Adj. Genl Thomas might aid me. It seemed to me a great outrage to help an officer in a nominal command of a regiment which is really less than two companies in a position in which two companies might destroy it. We can gain no honor in such a command. We may be subjected under the name of a regiment to a reverse which could occur with no force deserving such a name.

I am very sorry to hear about Tom. I have written twice to him asking an answer to my communications about withdrawing from the firm but he has not yet replied at least I have no answer- I do hope that I may get home permanently before long but I have no good reason yet to think that I shall do so. In all my army career it has been the greatest source of comfort to me to think that Julia had you to look to. Had it not been for that I don’t know what I might have done. I don’t know anyone else but you for her to apply to in any difficulty and if anything were to happen to you I don’t know what she could do. I did not think this was so when I left home. Things don’t seem to me now as then and I should only be too glad when I can perform my proper duty in taking care of the little ones who need so much a constant watcher. May God grant me soon a safe return to meet you all in happiness again.

Your  affectionate nephew

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to his uncle. 11 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp of the 121 Reg. V

December 14^th 1863 Monday

Dear Wife

Your letter of 12^th came today. You of course know that Chapman is at home once again free. I don’t think writing to Thayer would do me much good at present but a time may come when he might help. I shall keep him in mind and write to Uncle when I think his actions may have an effect. It is very kind in Uncle to be so thoughtful of helping me. I rode round the picket today with McCalmont and stopped at Kenly’s a strange man he is. He speaks of being sorry for Chapman’s going but the general impression is that he didn’t want a good successor so near at hand. There is talk of peace armistice commissioners and so on but government will not of course be deluded thereby but how I do wish it would please God to permit it to come to pass. I am sorry that Clem still finds himself in such a fix. He gets his accounts every 30^th June 31^st December from the office and can of course see in either if anything from mothers of or Biddle’s Estate has been credited to him. I do wish I could be at home at Christmas but I fear I cannot short of some marvelous blessing. I shall now patiently strive to get away from this in every way in my power trusting that God in his mercy will guide me to what is best for me and us all. Should it please him to lead me once home again. I shall hang up the sword forever and never leave you more. Oh how I miss you and how every thought of happiness to come turns me towards you. What the dear little ones must have become in my absence. I trust it has pleased God to permit them to increase in goodness through your cares as I know you make the effort and generally succeed when you try. Tom has not replied to my letters as yet. He must have received it but he doesn’t answer. I continue of the same mind and will soon write him again. I have already written to know if he has decided about any plan of action. I don’t see that he can do anything else. I feel that I have much to be grateful for and would be very glad to be away from the army to turn again with you to the observance of some of the religious duties which no day of rest in the army seriously interferes with but again may our heavenly father soon in mercy lead us together.

Your loving husband

Alexander

Love to Uncle and our little darlings.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 14 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp at Paoli Mills Culpeper

County Virg Sunday Dec 13. 1863

Dear Wife

Last night we had an exceedingly violent rain which was several times repeated. I expected to be overflowed or find some inconvenience but found none. The morning came with a beautiful rainbow to one always a sign of promise of better days to come. It was so at Gettysburg. I rode to visit the sick with the Dr at the Division Hospital and passed through the three large tents with beds on each side. These tents are warmed by underground flues covered with railroad iron. The fire outside at one end the chimney outside at the other. The heated iron warming the tents from end to end in hospital is to me always a dismal sight but it should teach us how great our thankfulness should be to the giver of all good for the blessings we enjoy even when we are desolate as I feel now. I am gradually getting my papers together and open soon to send in all my documents to the ordinance office. Don’t forget to send me three or four five cent internal revenue stamps for affidavits in your letters. I fear to speak of future prospects, to dwell on hopes as yet entirely uncertain but yet I have a trust under the blessing of Providence and hope I shall be able to return to you before a movement is projected. You will probably see Chapman soon. I could send you no message by him. How could I say anything under the circumstances I have felt too depressed. I certainly did envy his good fortune but yet am very glad that he is free. Give love to our little darlings and dear wife may every blessing surround you and dear uncle and lead us soon again together never to part. I took a short ride today to get acquainted with the ground about the Camp. The Dr and I are tent mates now. There is nothing that I know of to say which can be of much interest all my thoughts are how to get back to you again.

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 13 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Dear wife

Today has been a very heavy day to me

A day in which I could not help feeling that I had something to be sad about but I have striven to bear in mind that God willeth all things well and that light follows soon after darkness. Last night Chapman’s resignation came down with his honorable discharge – The feeling that I had been denied and that he was to go through was hard bitterly hard not that I did not wish him to succeed for that I did with all my heart – but when I thought of all my cares, anxieties, and responsibilities and that I too could not go, it seemed as of a lump of lead had fallen on my head and every pulsation was oppressed

At this moment Chapman is gone forever from this regiment I now have set to work and am as diligently as I can preparing to put in my resignation too but I fear much the delays of the Resignations office and also fear lest Meade may be removed but I must still trust that the merciful father who has summoned us with blessings will only withhold I seek for a short time and that I may return to you never to part before long.

It seems to be considered that Longstreet has joined the Rebs but yet our leaders seem to be confident. It is said that Warren and French were both behind hand in the late operations or there would have been a great battle with different results. On the other hand I hear of men being 36 hours without food. Our Quartermasters department seems to think we can hardly get along in wet weather if we remain here. But here we are and from present appearances seem likely to remain. I know you will feel grieved and hurt that it is not I who have come home but dearest love let us pray to the giver of all good to rule us according to his will and lead us to happiness together at an early day. I am indeed mournful when I reflect upon my solitude. here alone without a single human being whom I knew before I entered the regiment.

Hulse is the only one of Co A and he is in detached service. Dorr was a regimental acquaintance. All our destinies are we must always remember in the hands of all wise and merciful father who when we know it least is leading us to the haven where we would be through difficulties we know not of. It may be so even now. but to think on you and my little ones and to feel that I am unreasonably deprived of the right to be with you. Oh it is a poor return for an honest desire to contribute my little mite for the cause of right and Union.

Let us hope God’s mercy will cause it to end well. Drums are all around us beating the tattoo the Dr and I are alone writing away to our homes soon expecting the mail carrier to come in for the letters. Dear wife please send my commission as Major which you have somewhere to the office. They will want it to put along with some papers I have sent them to enable them to get a small sum of money due to me from the State. I don’t know that I want anything in a physical point of view it is only in mind that I am troubled. Tom don’t write to me about our separation on the 1st next year but does about lambs he has sold which I am glad of. I hope he may sell [Airdrie?].

I trust the termination of this cruel war may be rapidly approaching and that peace will extend its blessings over the land. I did not like Stanton’s alluding to next year as a possible end of war. I see no reason why it should not be sooner. I hear Pleasanton spoken of as our next commander if we are to have a new one. God bless you dear wife and our children and dear Uncle and may he in his mercy soon bring us together again. Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,12 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp near Paoli Mills

December 11^th 1863

Dear Wife

We have had another day of usual character rather gloomy with a little rain and nothing to vary the monotony of life in quarters-We are to intents and purposes prepared for winter quarters but I can hardly think that we shall really stay here unless the Southern Confederacy is tottering more than I imagine. We hear that leaves of absences are likely to be granted and some of our officers have already got them. This life is most stupid and profitless productive of no good and exposed to much of evil. If one had a goodly number of men so that one could have an interest and pride in the regiment it would be something but we have too few a number of men to make a great deal of them. I have been reading today the messages and reports and am quite surprised at the cool manner in which all the military operations of the War Department & Cabinet are indirectly shoved on to the General’s of the Army of the Potomac. Lieut Jungerich of our Reg. goes to Phila. Tomorrow on leave and will call to see you. I have asked him so to do. I believe his father lives in the Brown Stone house next to Vanderkemp’s old house. I have heard nothing from Tom yet. Good night dear wife, may God bless keep and preserve you all and dear uncle.

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 11 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp near Paoli Mills

Wednesday Dec 9^th 1863

Dear Wife

Today has passed quietly, in Camp we have been busy building chimnies putting up fire places environing our H. Qrs with evergreen pine fences making little walks of pine twigs and arranging as well as soldiers know how to make ourselves comfortable. Last night was again very cold with a heavy frost this morning but our wrappings kept us comfortable we have not heard any news to day from the front but sent out our share of men to picket. I believe that our cavalry outposts extend as far as the Rapidans. A Corduroy Road is in process of construction for about six miles but we think we may at any moment leave here as the Railroad is hardly able to convey returns enough for the army. I should not be surprised if one or two Corps should be sent some where else and the rest move Northward nearer to Kentsville. We are awaiting the result of the Colonel’s resignation paper it has gone up to Meade Approved but whether it will be accepted returned disappointed or forwarded to Washington puzzles us. I wish him success though. I fear it will add to my own difficulty in pushing my application through hereafter. Can you tell me if Frank Blair is in Washington and he is send me his address. I have been revolving in my mind writing to him. He might perhaps help me but I don’t much like to ask him. Yet I revolve at times all the different means I may find available and will pull the string which will open the door if anyone will the kindness to show it to me. I put herein an order for a waistcoat. Send it by Patrick to C. Stokes & Co under the Continental and have him pay for it get a bill & receipt and have it sent to 712 Walnut St. & then send it by mail to me well wrapped up. I find the mail very certain although it is perhaps expensive. This is Country of a great deal of natural beauty and there are some large residences which are surrounded by large estates. Some of the mansions destroyed and all the fencing I should think Virginia in spite of her well timbered land would find it very difficult to replace the fences destroyed by the Armies the land is now a region of stumps and wastes. I trust I may have some chance of getting nearer to you before long May. God in his mercy still watch over us and keep us to return to each other at an early day. Kiss my darlings Aleck Harry Julia Wilmer and Louis the beauty. Which last I hope I may soon be permitted to see in his new charms. Love to Uncle

Your loving husband

Alexander

Let Patrick pay Stokes & Co when he take the order and look out for the vest when ready

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 9 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

Transcript:

Camp near Paoli Mills

Tuesday Dec. 8^th 1863

Dear Wife

Nothing from home to day. To day I rode round the picket line of the Corp with the Colonel connecting with the 2^nd Corps on the right and extending round to Kelly’s ford and the Rappahanock. We had a good deal of rough riding across Country and through pine woods in search of different Head Qrs but at last got the lines connected and rode from end to end of them. At the point where we struck the Rappahanock we came upon the Commencement of a battery on the top of a high hill in a position to enfilade the batteries we expected to Command the flats beyond Kelly’s ford when we last lay there. The work had apparently been just commenced and soon afterwards discontinued possibly because we had marched in the night. It took us from 10 0’clock in the morning until 4 O’clock in the afternoon to get round our tour of duty so you may suppose it was a pretty long ride. Today we have ascertained that Chapman’s resignation has been approved by Kenly and Newton. It now requires approval by Meade or the Department to go through. He will I think get it and then I shall be forlorn for although I shall beg I can hardly promise myself success after my repeated failures nevertheless I shall try and try again and try again and trust that Providence will grant me success. I hear to day that the regulars (the 14^th) who relieved us at Catletts had one of their pickets killed by guerillas the night after we were there, We feared they would experience some mischief from what we saw of them but I am sorry to hear of it. Last night it was very cold and I have just enough clothing to keep me fairly warm but have managed to do. I have been making preparations to send in my resignation papers and trust to hear of Chapman’s success and forward mine in a few days (I must wish him success whether I fail or not.) Sometimes think of writing to Frank Blair to see if he cannot help me but don’t much like so to do. If I didn’t succeed I intend immediately afterwards to ask for a leave of absence and trust one or the other will go through. I feel as if I have in many respects been very badly treated and shall be most heartily glad to quit the political army the moment I can. In the meantime I hope for the best and trust the Sovereign ruler of all good will so dispose events as to pass our wishes and still extend to us that mercy which has blessed our paths in life in so many countless ways. Send to the dear little ones my loved wife and to Uncle and all at home I almost think the children will be grown out of recollection should I soon see them.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 8 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

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Camp near Paoli Mills

Culpeper County Virg

Monday December 7^th 1863

Dear Wife

I wrote to you about our arrival here yesterday. We had an exceedingly cold night last night. The coldest I think that I have endured since I have been in the army. But to day the sun was warm and during the hours of midday it was comfortable. Every thing seems in a state of uncertainty. It would seem from articles in the northern press that there was a determination to force this army into a general conflict in opposition to the opinions and counsels of its leaders.

It is my belief that if Lee were to attack this wing at Centerville or indeed in any position which it would take up and deliberately intrench that he would be whipped. Lee has never met us in an ordinary field where we arrived without some previous preparations on either side without getting rather the worst of it

Now to what seems to be expected of us is to attack the best General of the South in a carefully selected position with every natural advantage strengthened by the skill and experience of the ablest and most practical officers of the Country the rebel position on the south bank and beyond the Rapidan is on the side of a range of hills approached over flat land at their base. A creek (Mine Run) winds along this base by means of dams made about five feet deep and much of its shores for a long distance converted into muddy marsh

On the slope of the hills beyond lines of felled trees with the points downward going side by side and across each other form the abattis which in itself might puzzle an active man axe in hand at his leisure to get through. Beyond are rebel breastworks with plenty of men well covered taking aim at any adversary on the plain beyond for a third of a mile, in the creek and beyond the abattis. In short the chances against our carrying such a position are about 20 to one against us without regarding the advantage they have in a well appointed artillery in well selected ground. If Halleck would try it just long enough to have his ears humming with the reception that awaits us I think we should hear no more of hesitancy on the part of our Generals or inactivity of the army or if he will undertake to take care of Washington and let this army go the road its Generals would like to take. The public would soon find as they have found when the orders from Washington were unequal to the emergency that it could save the country and move and fight as no army has ever fought before. This is my view and I think the feeling of the army. An Army to which nothing but the mercy of Providence and its inherent energy under its leaders has saved from the effects the repeated effects of Washingtons folly.

Please send me dear wife two five cent internal revenue stamps in your next letter. We are now waiting future events they are making a Corduroy road east and west along the front of the army and some think we may make another advance I think not under any reasonable leader. Some think that after remaining here a few days to give the rebels a chance to meet us. Which I think unwise that we will then move to the other side of the Rappahannock & I think it would be well to go a good deal further and recruit drill & reform fragmentary battalion for next year. I trust that Providence in his all wise decrees will yet have mercy in store of us and soon grant us a return of peace harmony and union and also may you and I and all the little ones so dearly loved be spared for many years of happiness with the dear Uncle. Good night dear wife may God bless you

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,7 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38

Alexander Biddle was a member of the prominent Philadelphia Biddle family and was married to Julia Williams Rush,  the granddaughter of Dr. Benjamin Rush.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate in Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

Transcript:

Camp near Paoli Mills

Dear Wife,

Here we are again south of the Rappahannock in a camp or collection of huts made of pine logs the winter quarters of North Carolina troops who were here two weeks ago. We are nearly due south of Rappahannock Station where the O&A RR crosses the river. Yesterday part of the fifth Corps which had been passing us on that and the previous day notified us that we were relieved by the them. General Ayers commanding Division and a General Guerard of Brigade taking our places and preparing to place brigades here. We had Regiments, the regulars troops the 14^th, to relieve us and we were not at all impressed with the excellence of their discipline. At our station where a shot day as night had been a signal of general attention. We heard the Regulars soon after their arrival firing their guns all hours and had during the night as many as five men prisoners in our guard enclosure belonging to the fifth Corps who were out of bounds after dark. Yesterday afternoon after being relieved we got under arms and marched to near Bealeton encamping near a grove in the open fields for the night. We pitched tents and got a comfortable rest considering the night was cold and came on at 7 o’clock this morning crossed the river on a pontoon bridge and have got to this point and are now in quarters but to [us not?] very comfortable ones. We hear bad stories told of the ordeals our men endure on the last march such as men being taken up by the ambulances who had been 36 hours with out food, of one man who gave 25¢ a piece for ten crackers and another who of offered $10 for some. This is strange is it not? When you see in the newspaper that the Army is provisioned for 13 days ahead, but so it is, both facts are true, but although the food has been issued the men have it not. They have for nearly two months been carrying from five to eight days rations on their persons. Those have gradually wasted to six, four, & so on and then filled up again so that they effect of carrying so large a quantity has been to waste and use up a small portion daily which waste now expresses itself in the absence of a certain number of days rations not in existence. We understand now that Meade’s head is to go off too and feel we must trust providence who has done so much for this Army to save us again to the peril which the administration thrusts upon with not the smallest chance of success expect through interposition of almighty power. The artillery in the recent march was often up to the hubs in mud and after a heavy rain or snow storm and thaws the results would make the Country almost impassable. The Rebels may attack us, will do so I think if Longstreet jams them but I trust the sovereign mercy which has hitherto extended its protecting power over us will still be mighty to guard and shield our paths. I look every moment for orders to march back and trust we may have them soon. Meade I hear has not heard from the Secretary at War for three days. Truly the cabinet has much to answer for in its shameful neglect of its forces. I almost believe Halleck to be our bane, a paper general who has never seen the works he would attack. I have that [J Blenmuc?] who has married a miss [Nadine Kolarchinnkoff?] or some such name whose father is worth 12 millions of dollars gives satisfaction thereby to his family. I hear too that the bride was destined for some Prince but she informed her Pa that Mr [C] had no need of money, then fell sick and Pa relented. Such is the tale. I don’t think he is as well off as I am however with the 12 million I only envy every one the happiness of being at home with her I love best. I had your letter describing Harry’s efforts at ratiocination. Dear little fellow would I could be with you all. I trust we may before long without any more military tomfoolery get into some quarters where we can prepare for the future and repair the damages of the past. May God in his mercy watch over us for guidance, fill our hearts and minds with feelings of devotion. Give love to dear Uncle and all my beloved ones.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 6 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38