September 25, 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):

Camp 4 miles from Raccoon Ford

On the Rapidan

Division Head Qrs Friday

September 25^th 1863

Dear Wife

Last night we slept on the ground in the enclosure of a man named Stewart who owns 260 acres of land which he values at $10 per acre and upon which an acre of land yields one acre bushel of corn – that is one bushel of shelled corn – he had four young women in the house – one of which is Schoolmistress – we slept last night on the ground close by the house You are perhaps surprised to find that I date my letter from Division Hd Qrs – Yesterday morning Chapman was called on to take Command of the Division being Senior Colonel – The Division Comm Rowley was put under arrest by Newton for the usual finding which has whiskey for its basis It is his vice and it had lately come so before the Army that it Could not be avoided – Is it not strange that the same vice should at present, both [Rowley & Roskey?] under arrest but so it is – inasmuch as all Chapman’s and my own baggage is in the same wagon I have gone with him to the Division Head Qrs where our tent is now pitched…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 25 September 1863.