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:

March 14

Saturday night

Dear Wife

I this afternoon got your letter speaking of Hall – it was as your letters always are a ray of sunshine to me –

Today I hear that all leaves of absence will cease after the 18^th I cannot in any event get one unless both Colonel and Lieut Col are here and you can see that there is much reason to doubt my good fortune – It would be a great joy to me to see you and our beloved ones for a few days D.V. but we must bow submissively to his good pleasure and confide in the goodness and mercy which I feel we both greatly trust in notwithstanding not as we ought to –

I cant see any reason why Tom should not rest for two weeks three weeks or four weeks – have Mr Peale and Mr Horn to manage the Commission business and they Could occasionally report to him – If he will work himself into a fever no one can prevent him but it is as easy for him to withdraw and be quiet now as at any time – I cant perceive that making Mr. Peale or any one else a partner saves him from his anxieties he will be as feverish or even more so about their actions after he has bound himself by them as he can possibly be when not bound by them. The great mistake that my father made was in introducing Mr Swift &c &c &c into the firm and Tom now would run on the same rock Introduce a stranger and he will strive to put the means of a livelihood into his own childrens hands which now is ours by hereditary right – I have therefore said to him avoid such a step as clearly as I could through Julia Today we had a Brigade Review by out Brigadier and Doubleday – he the latter didn’t seem to think much of the whole affair nor I either – the ground poor day Cold – Our little battalion got along very well –

Tis now half past one O’clock at night – I have but little time to rest the mail goes early in the morning Remember me to Clem Good bye beloved May God bless and keep you and our little ones in health and safety to meet again through years of peace and happiness

Your loving

Alexander

Love to Uncle and Aleck Harry Julia & Winny

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 14 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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:

Thursday March 12^th 1863

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belle plains

Virg

Dear Julia

With a slight feeling that I shall not be disturbed for the rest of the night I begin to write to you I have been so occupied and intercepted that when I desired of late to write to you I have not found that the little time I had permitted it. I am now alone with as regards the associates I had with me when I left home – the only one of Field & Staff remaining – the mercy which has followed me all the days of my life has preserved me thus far – may it still continue and restore me in peace to remain at home beloved with you – We have had lately a great deal of detailing ordering inspecting – notices to get ready &c &c &c hints at a march – supposed to be an expedition down to the lower end of this Peninsula – hints at moving towards some Southern Port &c – which come and go – the last I indeed do not want and hardly think it can be possible I have lately seen some of the new Colonels – Col Wister – Col Dana from Luzerne County near or at Wilkes barre – who is President of our Court and whom I have taken something of a fancy to Col Porter our Brigadier – a smooth tongued gentleman whom I have to day written one or two spicy letters to and find that he only transmitted to me Copies of orders he as Brigadier had received from Division Head Qrs I don’t know as yet that showing a little sensitiveness has done any harm I lately sent you a letter of Julias written in Toms behalf – it was to me a very curious epistle – it seemed to me to indicate that I could not place much reliance upon his aid in Case of Misfortune to myself – I now want to ask you if you have a large book with a statement of my various interests in property in it – also if I gave you my bundle of stacks or if I left them as I think most probable at the office…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 12 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 Belleplains

Head Qrs 121 Reg PV

March 11^th 1863

Dear Julia

I write hurriedly – Dr Ramsey and Lambdin go to day on leave to Philad – Hall left us yesterday – I am on Court M. and in charge on the ground – there is nothing particular to notice about the regiment nothing to say with the little time I have for thought but saving that I wish I were at home with you.

I am not an admirer of the Army system at all In these volunteer Camps and brigades there is much that is sheer favoritism which I find constantly interfering with regular plans of service I now close this note dear wife Trusting God will bless and help us to meet again

Your loving

Alexander

I have asked Lambdin to call on you when he returns – He is a fine young fellow of much promise whom I think very highly of in every way

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 11 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Belleplains

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Monday March 9. ‘63

Dear Julia

I this evening rec’d your note of 6^th inst – As it always is your handwriting was a great pleasure to me – the same mail brought the enclosed note from Julia (Tom’s wife) to me – I send you my reply to it the Contents of Julia’s (Tom’s) note are to me extraordinary – I could scarce believe my eyes when I read them it almost seems to me as if he was Contemplating a sort of suicide of all his desirable business relations – You will notice my reply to it and keep the Copy. You may show both if you choose to Uncle or to Clem but keep them. To ask me to make a permanent assignment of part of my interest in my father’s business to a person outside of my family because he (my brother) wishes to go away for six months without doing anything of the sort – proposing that I shall bear the expense of the house whilst he travels reaping the profit makes me suspicious – I don’t know what had got into Tom I would like to know if he don’t still take his long drives – round the banks of the Schuylkill, out to the Paoli – if his appetite is not as good as ever.

Besides there is no occasion of so much work if it at all exists – he could work less if he does work so hard and serve his health and his money – You will however perceive what I have replied to him – I have a sort of feeling that he has some project in view not yet disclosed if so we shall soon know of it…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 9 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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: 9excerpt):

Head Qrs 121^st Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virg

March 7^th. 1863

Dear Julia

I have your dear note of 4^th inst – How glad I am to have it If you Could only look into my heart and perceive the satisfaction and delight the sight of your handwriting gives me I do think it would please you – Today we had a Brigade Review – on wretched ground It was the first time the Regiments came together and although greenly gotten up pretty well for the Colonel Commdg Brigade. I am on a Court martial detail which meets every day at 10’Oclock AM – Tomorrow I am on a special appointment to ride over the picket line with other officers to inspect the same and besides Command the Regiment I find you know about my present to Peale & Horn I am glad you approve of it I send you their letter to me.

Mr Cowpland of the Epiphany is here – I gave him ¢50 which the Colonel returned to me by him as a Contribution to the benevolent fund of the church. Do you approve of it – He and a Mr Bingham of Venango are to have service tomorrow in out Camp- Mr Cowpland came down to see his sons in one of the Companies and tells me the Epiphany is doing very well and that Mr Newton’s lectures are as well attended as Mr Brooks – Dear Jule I have flattered myself that it might please out heavenly father to let us meet again if the Colonel and Lt Col return soon – but I am inclined to think that if weather permits some movement will soon be made I give to Don who takes this two watches My own which I received by Etting does so well that I don’t think I shall want the others they are better at home than with me…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 7 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Belleplains

Virg

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Thursday March 5, 1863

Dear Julia

I have just finished a long business letter to Tom in reply to one from him. To day I received orders for a Brigade drill on Saturday at one Oclock – it is now the Coldest weather we have yet had and I sometimes marvel how it is I keep as well as I have done – The newspaper today seemed to indicate some good news from Vicksburg – to day we saw a balloon up for good two hours WSW in the direction of Falmouth I have been on a new Division Court martial for the last three days which to day occupied me until ½ past two O’clock – Every afternoon I contrive to give them some exercise in the manual on the parade ground but we have so many detailed from our regiment that it hardly has men enough left for Camp duties – I have not heard from the Colonel for some days past but have been looking out for him almost every day – there is a great deal to be done towards appointing new Officers and reorganizing the force which I feel some delicacy about arranging if it is to be reviewed such as recommending officers for promotions to the Governor The new regiments have all arrived and I have no doubt but that the force will present a very fine appearance when brought together – The other day I had a complaint made by our surgeons of the man who would not cut his hair &c – I picked out another incorrigible and gave him a pair of scissors and told him to cut this fellows hair and when that was done let him cut the others – I wish you could have heard the Doctors laugh after the report was made to me – One thing is certain they will not want hair cutting for three months to come judging from the close crop they exhibited…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 5 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 Belle Plains Virg

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Saturday March 4, 1863

Dear Julia

I wrote to you this the most blustering day we have had this season – it has been blowing hard since last evening A perfect gale my tent flapping like the sails of a ship and sometimes with wrenches against the guys which hold it which almost seem likely to start it from them – this has lasted all day long and I have scarcely left my tent during the day – I formed the dress parade with the usual exercises at Retreat but we have done nothing else to day – Yesterday I had another very kind letter from Uncle intended to come through me over who could probably have never got near to us. It is rather difficult to find us unless one comes to Belleplains direct – I put in this note a photograph of Chapman for your military album – To day our last two Captains left us on leave of absence for ten days I still have hopes of getting a leaved when the Lieut Col returns but I fear there is little likelihood of it – I do not feel at all enthusiastic about military life the more so because with our little battalion I see no necessity for more than one field officer and when there are two there is nothing to be done but some wretched out post duty – the more I see of the army the less respect do I feel for any of its Commanders. General Reynolds I believe is a really fine officer and I have been favorably impressed with General Rowley on one interview but the number of humbugs I have seen astonishes me – I sent our Quarter Master Lieut General who has gone home sick to message telling him to call on you when he returns saying you would know him…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.4 March1863. Rush IV:30:29