January 25, 1863: 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 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 (excerpt):

Camp near White Oak

Church – January 25, 1863

Dear Julia

I wrote a long letter to you yesterday after my return to Camp where I arrived about 3 O’clock

The men who had straggled very very much indeed came in by squads and at evening parade at 5 O’clock we had almost all our force together again

Today the ambulance is to inquire at Bell plains for the boxes for Rosengarten and myself which I hope will be found safe. We are plentifully supplied at this moment with good things We have the Rev Mr Clapp a Venango County clergyman in Camp to day and are to have service as soon as the Division Inspector who is to be here to day dismisses us which we expect will be about 12 O’clock – We are all wondering what the papers will say about our march – which reminds me of the “King of France with 20000 men” Burnsides general order seems like a burlesque of great bulletins We frequently heard the men joking about it as we came home – It was a shockingly tedious march and such mud as I have never before seen. Every now and then we came to some disabled wagon stuck fast In a ravine I saw one Govt. wagon which had rolled down the hill turned bottom up and one or two others broken down at other points. I never thought I should be so thankful to see the miserable hut and camp we are in a second time – but I am indeed well pleased to get back again. What Burnsides will do next is a matter of conversation – We all wonder and hope some good news from the West and South may help us I am very thankful to be able to write to you again in the prospect of getting your letters in return…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 25 January 1863. Rush IV:30:27