November 28, 1862: Alexander Biddle to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

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 at 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):

Schooler’s house on Picket

Thursday Friday Nov. 28. 1862

Dear Julia

Yesterday Thursday at 3 O’clock we were again sent on Picket duty. The line is slightly different from what it was the last time and our head quarters are at the houses of a man named Schooler a well to do farmer with his daughters – the most comfortable looking house I have ever seen – a big room on left as you enter a big room on right used as a kitchen – a stairway to 2^nd floor but up there I have not been.

[…]

The life is so monotonous that I hardly know what to write. Louis has been a little lame lately but I hope it is nothing. I was very much pleased to get Harry & Aleck’s letters the other day, the dear little boys correspondence is very sweet to me. I shall try to answer them as soon as I have a little more time to do so. I have not heard from you now since your letter of 20^th although I know letters are on the way. Mr. McMahon has not yet reached camp – and I doubt if he will come as orders are stringent to present passes – perhaps Zell may come down but I hear he is ill. I must ask you to send me the big watch if you can get Dixon to put it into good order for me…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.28 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25