February 13, 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. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on September 1, 1862. Starting out as a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)         

Transcript:

Head Qrs 121^st Reg. P.V.

Camp near WO Church Virg

Friday February 13. 1863

Dear Julia

I was just about to occupy a little spare time in writing to you this morning when the mail Sergeant arrived with mail bag containing your letter of 7^th inst – it was a great pleasure to me as I have been looking for one for the last two days. on the hills opposite to us I have been looking at the movements of six squadrons of Cavalry passing in review previous to inspection – Yesterday there was an Artillery review upon the same ground – both very pretty to look at. Our Lieut Col has just returned from Doubleday’s Head Qrs and the Surgeon and I are going over in a short time to ride over towards Belle plains with the General to select new Camping ground nearer to supplies towards Belle plains – we suppose we will get first choice of ground in this way but that may or may not be. Our men are so used up by details for teamsters, picket and minor duties at the different quarters that we hardly have 100 men in camp – I shall be sorry to leave our present situation although by so doing I suppose we shall consolidate the force. Many of our officers have applied for and received leave of absence for ten days – the Col has asked for an additional leave of 10 days which will be up sometime next week – but he is reported by his surgeon as unable to move – I have written him one or two letters but all my writing as a general thing is absorbed by yourself dearest I am in great hopes of some Stirring news from the South and suppose a movement of this Army will follow rapidly upon the news of any Southern Successes by our troops. In conversation this morning the Lieut Col tells me that Doubleday thinks we shall move as soon as weather and roads permit but he also thinks we shall go by water and that is one of the reasons which induces him to think of changing camp – there is also something said of our having a new Brigadier named Stewart who is a Captain in the Regular Army and who was first in McClellan’s West Point Class – we first heard of him through Seymour as an officer of great promise – I give you this as a part of out Camp talk it may interest you if you hereafter hear anything of the Sort…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.13 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28