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:
Saturday Nov 29th
Dear Julia
After writing the enclosed whilst on picket we were relieved by another regiment. We marched in to quarters To day the 29th We had Battalion drill for an hour and then inspection by Lieut Col Crane which occupied us until late in the afternoon. He dined with us whilst at dinner a Mr Holman the father of one of our Sergeants arrived and takes this back to you. Today I got Louis shod and think he will do well. I am writing by the fire of some wood taken from a church which has alternately been used by Rebels and Unionists as a hospital and which is now destroyed for the tents and fires of the men – a part of was taken by our men and has been confiscated for Head Qrs. There is threatening of a snow storm to day I think however we shall not suffer much from that. I don’t look to any advance as yet I think the Rebs have fortified too strongly at Fredericksburg but maybe somewhere near may be the point – Send me some 3¢ postage stamps in your next. I don’t know anything I want in the material line but I have a strong desire to be away from here. Would I could be with you and this war ended. Love to Uncle and the dear children. Train them up in the way they should go. I know you will strive all that any mother can and I trust God will bless and protect you in your efforts.
I write these lines to go back by Mr. Holman who is to be in Philad. in Monday I got a letter of 26th Nov from the Office
Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.29 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25