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:

Sunday October 18th 1863

Entrenchments near Centerville Virg

Dear Wife,

This evening I read your letters of 14th and 16th and I can hardly express the great pleasure it was to get them after being so long a time on the march without receiving any mail. I never lose sight of the hope of sending in a resignation which will be accepted. Just now however you can readily perceive it would not be right for me to do so­—but I keep it in view with the unfading intention of so doing whenever any chance presents itself. I should think Dr. King hardly the ruler in his mansion, or else Mme and he have different views and got independently of each other. I am very thankful to have so good a manager as Uncle in such matters, who always does exactly right. I am very glad you have had your little dinner party and wish we could all return to peaceful relations and have no secession Copperheadism among us. I think it has pretty well received its death blow in Pennsylvania- Last night we were ordered to be in readiness to march if required at early day break. We were 20 horses saddled- tents stuck- breakfast eaten and so remained until 11 O’clock when orders came to go on as usual. So we pitched tents, had inspection, and parade in the evening and are now in a wall tent lent us by the 5th New York 20th Battery Capt Taft which is close to us- His battery has six wall tents six wagons and as one first Officer remarked- they have two wagons with nothing in them although each officer has about 500 lbs of baggage. A regiment has one wagon to every twelve officers and often don’t get that. We have but one wagon for field staff and Company officers and that is never with us except on a halt. I had today a long conversation on gunnery with the battery Captain who is an officer of much meat about shells projectiles, &c. The Shenkel projectile is the one which seems most in favor with a fuse which is either percussion or burns on time- if it strikes it explodes but it explodes at any rate in ten seconds. This is pretty American in its invention- We believe that Lee’s army is before us somewhere uncertain as yet what to be about. If they go into Maryland I think they will have a hard time- if they attack us I think they will have as bad. What Meade may do I cannon tell but I hope he will try to make a sure thing of it this time and get all the force he can bring to bear before he attempts anything. Then I shall hope for decisive success and trust that God may in his mercy grant us victory and save us from carnage of friends or foes as far as possible. The day has been beautiful but the feeling of keeping constantly ready is a trying one. Is it very like a bout of imprisonment– one cannot go away, one cannot send a Man away for any long time. We might get orders to move- we leave everything ready for service and I hope this time may be successful in whatever is assigned to us. I do not lose sight of my intention to terminate my connection with the office. I think that will come about in a due course if I return safe and I trust Providence may grant me that mercy ere long.

The only difficulty in the way is the Southernmost of the estates and trust accounts which I think can soon be done if I were at home- Give love to Clem and all the family and above all to dear Uncle- His little coat is great coat night gown, umbrella, duster, indeed everything at once and so light that it is always either on me or looped over my sword belt. The weight and bulk is really nothing. Good night God bless and preserve you all and lead us in peace and happiness to an early return never more to part.

Your Loving Husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 18 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Saturday 17th Oct 1863

Camp near Centerville, Virg

Dear Wife,

We are in positions awaiting an attack if it is the intentions of the Rebel force to come this way—The position is a strong one- in front are earth works with embrasures and epaulements for cannons and some large pieces are in position. In front of us are four 20 pounders, Parrot rifle guns and in a wood a little to the right are two 32 pounder rifle guns- from these points We can command the country for as far as five miles and nearer the country is very open and does not afford any very great material protection to troops. It is different to the North where the ground is more broken and more thickly wooded. After last night’s storm which at one time blew straight through our tent from end to end we were rather moist and although we slept comfortably enough yet we had this morning blankets to dry and things to put in order generally. The day has been perfectly favorable for it, we have gradually become easy and comfortable and await the next step in the war which we are to take. We have not had letters or papers for some time. I have had none since we left Kelly’s ford on the Rappahannock. The men have been employed cleaning their pieces and are generally comfortable. As we have no wagons as yet, we can hardly say the same for we yet depend on what we can carry on our  horses and  sleep sit and live under our fly. The country about this point is beautiful. To the North we can see the top of Sugarloaf Mt. and to the west the Bull Run Mts with Thorofare Gap, the Ketocton Mts and Bull Run Mts all the same ridge they begin to rise at Warrenton Virginia run North East to Maryland before Frederick and in that state take the name of Ketocton Mts running up to meet the South Mt or Allegheny a little west of Emmetsburg. Where these Mts enter Maryland [a ?? turns of] beginning  with the Sugarloaf Mt, having the Monocacy on the western side towards Westminster and so to the Susquehanna we look over a vast extent of country. Can see the Blue ridge of Virginia and parts of Maryland  The pontoons have passed down below us to day, we think to Bull Run to bridge it Since the rain which was very heavy. It will not be long before we have some defense because of Lee and his movements which I think have been to a great extent so far frustrated- I already think that he is falling back upon his second intentions not being able to  prosecute his first. May providence protect us as his mercy has done- for I can see in this storm of yesterday as well as with weather we have had a powerful aid to our cause. May our labors be under his guidance and with his favor. We have much very very much to be thankful for in the blessings of health and indeed in the most remarkable manner in which our provision train and supplies seem to have been permitted to accompany us. I say permitted for there was not a want of opportunity to injure our trains if the Rebels had hit the right point and time. May God in his mercy grant us success and lead us soon again together, never more to be separated in health and happiness. Good bye dearest, God bless and preserve you and all my beloved ones and dear Uncle. May our separation be but short and peace again exist throughout the land.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 17 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Entrenchments at Centerville

Friday Oct 16, 1863

Dear Wife,

Yesterday we left this place in the afternoon and marched towards Chantilly about 3 miles. We halted in the edge of a wood the 6th Corps on our right- after a while we were sent out about a mile south to picket – We lost the road, got right at last- and staid all night-without lights or fires in an open field commanding the country- This morning at break of dawn on a cloudy day we returned to this point and are now posted in support of battalion the 5th NYk 20 lb Parrots are in front of us nearby are two 32º and a number of 10 lbs parrots. Our whole brigade and division is at this point.  We have heard not little firing It has rained hard twice to day and the second rain  about 8 o clock at night is just over. it was very hard and blew straight through our tent and were it not for the excellent little gum coat  Uncle sent I should have been very uncomfortable—but thanks to him I have been perfectly protected__We will have more rain which is worse for Lee than it is for us__Yesterday we heard fighting more or less all day. Supposed to be Cavalry skirmishing- this is pretty much all I can tell in my restricted position sitting on the wet ground on an india rubber writing under a fly open at both ends__but am comfortable for the field__

Good night dear wife, God bless and preserve you and the dear ones and grant us an early return in peace to each other. Love to Uncle- May the heavenly father ever keep us all under his saving protection. Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 16 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 15 Oct 1863

Dear Wife,

I sent you this morning a few lines from Centerville—Since then we have moved north towards Chantilly—there has been firing all day long towards Blackburn ford and and the stone bridge over Bull Run but I think without any benefit to the Rebs. Yesterday the Rebs lost 8 pieces of artillery- We are now out on picket to guard the road on the north side of Centerville. Nothing has been heard or seen on our front. I think they are only trying our strength and have found us in greater strength than they imagined as they did yesterday.I hope energetic efforts will soon give us all the strength we want for the great purpose for which we came out—How strange it will be if the first and last scene of the war should be so near Bull Run. May God grant us success and grant us his favour in our undertaking, let us seek his power to aid us for vain are human efforts unless he wills their success. Good by, love to all- the children and Uncle.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 15 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Kelly’s ford, Monday October 12, 1863

Dear Wife,

On Friday night it was found that the Rebs were not at the ford we were to cross- So we retraced our steps and halted between Culpeper & Stevensburg. There we remained during the night and yesterday, Saturday, the whole 105 Corps arrived with a large wagon train towards Kelly’s ford. We heard firing in our rear as we moved back but reached the ford. Saw large train pass- saw the troops pass and take up a position and then we were assigned our position near the bank in rifle pits. No signs of Rebs this morning, we hear that Buford had a sharp fight yesterday with his Cavalry and retreated in Rappahannock station. We hear also that the Rebs are in some force at Sperryville some 20 or 60 miles to the west and north. I have not time, dear wife, to write more. I trust to the heavenly father to shield me in case of any action. Unless there should be an attack which I hardly think would be a wise one for the Rebels do not at present see any great probability of battle. God bless and preserve you all. Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 12 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 or rather Bivouac near Morton’s ford

Saturday Oct 10, 1863

Dear Wife,

Last night at ½ past one our Division was under arms to March to this point with the intention of supporting the Cavalry by forcing our way across the Rapidan at Morton’s ford. The Cavalry under Buford were to cross some ten or fifteen miles lower down at Germania Ford and attack the flank of the Rebs—On the march the Division got lost, so did the 2nd Division which with the first were to precede us in crossing the river- We have been here and supplied very comfortably. Good bye dear wife. May God bless and preserve you all and continue his mercy in guiding you and our little ones and granting me an early and safe return in peace to you all.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Friday 9th Oct 1863 Camp near Pary WV

Dear Wife,

I today got a package of envelopes which came by mail. I suppose from you, but no letter. I know that mails are often late and irregular but fear you may not be well. May God avert all evil from you and ours and still extend his loving mercy to us. Today we had Division drill – Nine regiments under arms but the field was not large enough and it was not as good as our old brigade drills. It passed off however very well and we got things to nicely enough. Tonight we have orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at short notice with five days rations. We think something may be going on in the Gulley West of the Blue Ridge and some movement in that direction may be advanced. We have sometimes rumor of peace of a willingness not to push the war to a crushing point and receive such ideas as straws which may indicate the [Set?] of the Current. I hope peace may soon be brought about and that our harmonious union may never again be disturbed. I keep in my own mind constantly turning to you. I fear you may be unwell- May our merciful father protect and guard you and keep you safe from harm. I am all packed up—nothing left to do but to roll up my blankets and saddle. Even a loaf of bread and provisions in my haversack. This morning I took a walk about a mile from our Camp and came to a deserted house—from the second story I could see Clark’s Mt. on the other side of the river and a long line of earth works across the slope of the Mt.–distant about three miles. The country is thickly wooded and the land is pretty poor. Most of the houses which I have seen are deserted. Many torn to pieces. Virginia indeed is desolate- from here to the Potomac it is a barren waste, whatever it may have been when the labor of man was permitted to work it in peace—I had supposed we should wait here until the elections were over but now suppose we are either making a move to have some action thereon or to frustrate something which Lee is doing with the same end in view. I hope there is patriotism enough in the North to overcome all opposition of every kind. We heard a few days ago of a Movement of troops at the Valley West of the Blue Ridge—Good night dear Wife, May Heaven ever bless and surround you with the greatest blessings—Give love to Uncle, Sister Mollie and her little ones, Emily & hers,Julia and all at home. Kiss dear Aleck, Harry, Julia, Winny and Louis, my beloved Wife,

Your loving husband,
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 9 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36