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):
At Head Qrs Div 1st AC
Camp near Raccoon ford at Crossroads to Culpeper
In eight of Clark’s M Cedar Run M – Mitchell’s
September 29, 1863 Tuesday
Dear Wife
I have just gotten through a long piece of writing in relation to Ordinance papers – a sort of taking the bull by the horns, it had to be done some time and now is one of the stated periods when Settlements are required This morning at a little after midnight We got orders to move at 6 O’Clock AM but as the Col had a conversation with Genl Newton in the evening and understood him to decide not to move he supposed it to be a mistake So the hour came and past and no move was made until an aid arrived who informed us the Genl had expected to find us on the new ground selected. We finally got off and marched about three miles through the woods and came to out new place of rest. We are on the road to Culpeper about three miles to Raccoon ford and in sight of the high hills on the other side of the river One of which Clark’s [illeg.] is a Rebel Signal Station where through the telescope a few of their signal corps can be seen lounging about…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 29 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35
.…
ñïñ!!…
.…
áëàãîäàðåí!…