September 26, 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 :

Camp near Raccoon Ford

Saturday September 26 1863.-

Dear Wife

I have nothing particular to mention today. Our pickets are between Raccoon ford running down the Rapidan on the South side of the road through Stevensburgh The house by which we have our tents is inhabited by a Secesh family which has two sons in the rebel army and one son here – An English Cavalry Sabre was found by the Provost guard in the house today After making a search for arms – from our picket line I understand the rebel infantry pickets on the other side of the Rapidan Can easily be seen and even heard Singing We are therefore not very far off – I was pretty busy to day with Statements for Ordinance Office – which I hope I have in tolerable order – but I think there must be some difficulty before I can get them all admitted I ought not however to have anything to do with them and would not have had if I had not been rather too officious in taking care of Gov property. The weather has been beautiful for the few last days and the nights with the bright Autumnal moon Could not be more perfect, nevertheless we always see a thick fog soon after sundown which we rather carefully avoid – Please say to my dear little boys especially to Aleck and Harry that I hope they are always good to each other and that they are particularly good to my dear little daughter their sweet little Sister Julia – Aleck and Harry must both take care of her and Keep her from harm and let nothing hurt her – they will not play with matches or do anything to tease or worry her – little girls dresses sometimes catch on fire and horrid accidents happen sometimes which give a great deal of pain and suffering when children play with or are careless about the fires – I know they will both do what Papa wishes and take care that his beloved little Julia does not come to harm – Kiss them all round Winny and Louis too if they are good ones and I know I may think that they are – What did you think of what I wrote to you about out Division General Is it not strange that such a low vice should be so common – but so it is – He is a man of much natural ability and I believe it was in some measure owing to his interposition that I had So Slight a fright with Newton on the Court Martial Question The order as it came down was much modified before it reached me I believe I should have gone through anyhow for I don’t think Newton by any means invulnerable although I think him a good General for the day of battle and careful in many respects – I have however never spoken a word to him – I believe I once answered one a question in a reply of four words but that was all – Today We had battalion drill and parade for about two hours in the Afternoon and sent out some 25 men for picket Goodnight dear Wife Your letter of Sept is rec’d Always a treat and joy when they Come – Good bye again God bless and preserve you the little ones and dear Uncle and grant us a speedy return to each other Your loving husband Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 26 September 1863.