March 26, 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):

Head Qrs 121^st Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virginia

March 26. 1863

Dear Julia

I wrote a few hurried lines to you this morning rather than miss the mail and immediately afterwards turned out the Regiment for inspection although it was raining at the time The inspecting officer occupied us for about an hour and then breakfasted with us leaving us after that was over to go on his way to other regiments – During the day we had the usual Company drills and Battalion drill in the afternoon also recitation in the evening in tactics – the time which these duties occupy has prevented my having so much leisure to write home as I have lately had – Your pencil lines by Lieut Don are really touching I trust our heavenly father may soon grant you good health and strength to go through your trials which I earnestly desire to share with you and hope it may please him so to order our public affairs that we may return in peace to each other in a little time – I have but little gratification (I mean military gratification for I have no other) in the regiment its great reduction in officers and men by wounds sickness and the details usual in service has left us but a skeleton of what we were – this morning we had 220 men out on inspection – We Can all told hardly furnish over 330 effective men…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 26 March1863. Rush IV:30:29