April 10, 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):

April 10^th 1863

Last night after returning from visiting outposts and advanced sentinels which took me from ½ past three lit a little piece of Candle and opened the little prayer book you gave me at the 27^th psalm Look at it and tell me if you don’t think it rather Comforting to a soldier It was the 27^th psalm not the 26^th – Look at the twelfth verse When I read it I thought of you and what a guide and counselor I have found in you and how you have led my steps which have been prone to wander back to paths which I would choose to follow – If you read this psalm and picture to yourself a tired body coming back from a long night walk from sentinel to sentinel you will I think see in it a sort of peculiar application to the time place and circumstance which I hope is a good omen – I am now going to close my letter to be ready when the boy comes out from camp to send it back to go by mail

Good Bye Beloved

Your loving

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30