December 1, 1862: Alexander Biddle to His Children

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:

Dear Children Papa has heard from Mama and is glad to hear his boys are good – they must be so to each other and to Julia also. Aleck will take care of Winny and so will Harry and Julia – they will love each other and not quarrel or be unkind to one another – Papa is sitting on his bed with his gum blanket on his knees to write on. He sleeps in a tent like those which Harry and Aleck saw at Edgewood – but he has two others in it with him, he dines in the open air on a table made out of boards, and is well pleased if he gets potatoes at any meal The men are far from looking as well as they did at Edgewood, some are ill in the hospital. The camp was in a pine wood a few days ago but now almost all the trees have been cut down and made into huts or burnt up. Just in front of our camp is a cavalry camp, the Harris Light Cavalry or Second New York. We see them every day going through the sword exercise, cutting and thrusting and sometimes using the pistol. We hear all their trumpet calls every day – Boot and Saddle – To go for water – To put out lights – In our camp we beat the drum, in other camps they have bugle calls. and in some others there are bands – Mama will tell you what a band of music is. Louis is quite well but not so fat as he was. It is a great pleasure to Papa to have his childrens pictures with him he is very happy to look at them and loves much to do so. He often thinks of them and hopes to be with them but don’t know when it will be possible. All that Papa has except his valise bed and some books he carries on Louis’ back – his blank-ets – his haversack and a nose bag with oats in it to feed Louis. Perhaps Matthew can show you a nosebag. Louis looks funny when he is eating out of it Papa hopes his dear children will learn their lessons and read and write – go to Sunday school and be good at all times – then Papa knows their Heavenly Father will love them and take care of them which Papa prays to him to do and to protect dear Mama and bless all at home. Give love to Uncle. –

Papa. –

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to his children. 1 December 1862. Rush:IV:30:26