April 1, 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 Reg PV

Camp near Belleplains

April 1^st 1863

Dear Julia

Just as I was going over this morning with the Colonel to see our new Brigadier General Rowley an orderly arrived from James Biddle with your package and note – before I started I read the psalm as I supposed but found on coming back I had read the wrong one and on reading your letter over again turned to the little prayer book which is always nigh me and read the 91^st – I don’t know anything more comforting in my trouble than the words I sometimes find in your letters dear wife and the psalm seemed very encouraging to me I had just before read the 101^st psalm – whenever I turn to them I find some words which seem to be of promise of success in future and of return to happiness and home if I make our heavenly fathers precepts my guide in life – I trust his mercy will grant me strength to govern myself by them in all my relations – I have examined the package and given some of Aleck’s remembrance (the ground nuts) to the Colonel I had a long talk with Lieut Frank about Aleck who seemed much amused by his boyish ways. We heard a good deal said about movement and Doubleday named yester tomorrow as the day we should be likely to move but General Rowley seemed to have no idea of it – indeed a Military Commission had been appointed to sit tomorrow which don’t look much like a movement – Something is also said of two Corps being left to protect the landing. I give you all the talk I hear if anything is to be done I would rather move on with the rest of the Army than do any ground duty – there is as much danger from fever and malaria in any stationary post as there is on the march and I believe it far more healthy…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 1 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30