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 P.V.
Camp near Belleplains Virg
April 19th 1863 Sunday
Dear Julia
I enclose herein $800. It is almost all the pay I have received for the last six mos and will aid you somewhat without the necessity of calling on the office which you seem to dislike – Of course if you dislike to keep so much by you, you need not can send what you please to the office to be credited to my account – I don’t want you to say anything about what it is unless to Uncle – The Paymaster arrived this morning or rather yesterday and commenced paying this morning our regiment were all paid in the forenoon – The Paymaster is Sam Henry a brother of Mayor Henry and Charlton Henry. In the afternoon we rose over to dine with Col Wister of the 150 and remained there until near Sundown We saw the dress parades of a number of regiments – We hear again to day of rumored success towards Gordonsville and hope it is true but we have had so much of that sort of thing that we hardly feel as if we had a right to expect it We have not yet marched but are holding ourselves in readiness so to do at any moment and may be will go very soon – A few days since I sent home my bed frame which may go direct to you from Washington by Adams Express or may go by Lieut Hoyt to Philadelphia Hoyt is a very well known character in Philadelphia and will probably send it to the house if he takes it with him – He was formerly known as a gambler in Philad but it is said has endeavored to earn for himself a good reputation in the Army and has been Commissary to the Brigade – I only mention this that you may know all about persons whom I mention…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 19 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30