April 24, 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 Reg PV

Friday April 24, 1863

Dear Julia

I have your letter of 18^th inst. I wrote you a long one about out foolish expedition to Port Royal – remarkable only for its being perfectly objectless as far as our General was Concerned and for the utter indifference to the Comfort of the men – We have now had two more days of raining and blustering weather It makes me wonder how it Can be with you – here on the 24 April it is as raw and blustering as sharp March weather with us and scarcely has a blade of grass grown long enough for a horse to nibble it indeed fields hardly look green. So I understand Matthew has left you for good and John Fox has taken his place – it is a good riddance – Dear little Jule can hardly be as meek as her Mamma from what you tell me I hope she will prove as good. I am anxious to see the joining of Aleck’s letters and Harry’s too – I suppose I shall soon have a glimpse of them I trust Miss Wilson will prove all you anticipate she comes from a good source – You must select the name yourself Eugene or Adolph – they are both you know of my suggesting and you must help now we have got down so near a choice – there is too great a pleasure to me in you making a choice how I wish I could arrange everything so as to please you and make you happy and comfortable – I trust I may be permitted to return to pass many years of happiness in your society – with our dear children – I sometimes think I see signs of the war terminating and hope the suppression of armed vessels leaving British ports for the Confederate with the news from Vicksburg will have good fruits in the future I feel dear wife that I have need of all your prayers and don’t doubt but that they are heard and your husband shielded from much which has befallen others through our Heavenly father’s return to our Petitions. May he bless and keep you all at Chestnut Hill and grant us a Speedy restoration in peace never to part

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 24 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30