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:
Monday Dec. 29th 1862
Dear Wife,
I have just returned to camp from Court Martial and found Benoni Lockwood at Head Quarters looking better than I have ever seen him – last evening too I found B Tilghman – he also looking better than I have ever seen him. We had visits too from several others I don’t know whether I mentioned to you having seen Charley Cadwalader about a week since looking exceedingly well – these meetings are very pleasant but it does seem to me strange to meet with officers who have been with their regiments who report scarcely any loss in action after such an experience as we have had. I trust we have had our worst visitation from the destroying angel and hereafter that abler counsels may obtain success with less sacrifice of life. The day is beautiful – the air just sufficiently sharp to be pleasant the sun shining brightly the men busy putting their log houses in order – the sound of the busy axe chop, chop on every side – some carrying rails for kindling wood and canteens of water passing into camp – a lazy sentry sauntering in a manner I don’t think military a few yards off. My blankets and bedding stretched on the pine trees to be aired – the boys getting the dinner table ready in the log hut and all nature as bright and calm as calm can be. Now I go back in thought to you and my sweet home and think of the dear children and their Christmas sport with the tree Papa is very sorry that the Rappahannock cars won’t take him home – he would be glad to go if he could…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 29 December 1862. Rush:IV:30:26
.…
tnx for info….
.…
ñïàñèáî!…