February 19, 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:

Head Qrs 121^st Reg P.V.

Camp near Belle plains Virg

Thursday February 19. 1863

Dear Julia

I write to you after over 60 hours of rain snow and rain – the rain began last Monday afternoon next morning we had a thick snow and since that rain rain rain – last nights and yesterday we could not read a book in our house without a drop falling on the open pages and when laid down upon my bed with india rubber beneath and india rubber above the dripping from our canvas roof kept up a lovely pattering outside my covering Hall told me when I moved in the night there was a small shower from my bed – when I rose I found my shoes nicely filled with water and everything wet around us – the rain however had nearly ceased and we had but little difficulty in getting ourselves comfortable again. It is now after breakfast the 143^rd a new regiment from our state has just passed through our camp – the new regiments have suffered a good deal – though well clad they are without the necessary means of camping until their teams can bring up the equipment from Belle plains and this weather has been certainly rough – You mention that Tom Dunlap is in the 15^th or 16^th Connecticut – when you next write give me the exact number of his regiment say which it is At Camp Chase the 15^th Connecticut lay along side of us for nearly ten days – We both had drills and parades every day – I am not very anxious to hunt him up but if near at hand I might be able to get him something or other he might want We have just had new orders for picketing the work for us will be lighter hereafter since the new regiments have joined us – We hear many amusing stories of the hoaxing of the new soldiers by the old. We are told that the old Bucktails told the new troops that they would find large barracks for them with bake ovens on the ground floor which heated the soldiers quarters on second floor and a parade large enough for two regiments inside the square – One of the new men the story goes asked how far it was to the barracks and got for an answer I guess all the barracks you will see you will carry on your back…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.19 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28