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 121st Reg P.V. Camp near Culpeper
Wednesday Sept 23d 1863
Dear Wife Today we heard that the Cavalry had been as far as Gordonsville and although they had not reached that town had had a fight with Stewarts Cavalry with success We are now ordered to have eight days rations on the men and eight in wagons – quite as much as they can carry and there seems some idea of a driving movement in some direction – If Rosecrans can hold his own Meade may be successful but 16 days rations – 8 on the men and 8 on the wagons is hard very hard to carry. – I fear bad news from the West but hope under Divine Mercy for success to out arms Today I got your sweet letter of 21st inst with dear Aleck’s sweet little note – You don’t know how these dear little missives delight me – they take one so home – This living along with men all the time is detestable – they are certainly brutes in one sense…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 23 September 1863.