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 near Raccoon Ford
September 30th 1863
Dear Wife
Today I had two letters from you of the 26th & 28th which I was exceedingly glad to get I gather from them that Aleck is again getting well – May our heavenly father grant that we all may meet again in perfect health and safety – We have been conjecturing what we are about to do down here and as usual we have come to the same opinion, that is that we cannot advance and will have to go back. We have been lately weakened by the withdrawal of the 11th & 12th Corps which we think have gone West to Rosecrans this redirection of our force will hardly leave us strength enough to attack the Rebs opposed to us who are presumed by us to be 7000 strong – We cannot now have more than 5000 fighting men and although there maybe great chance of success if we are in position and on the defensive We certainly cannot advance. I believe that the Rebs at this moment are humbugged into the idea that Meade’s Army is stronger than ever – if we remain here and they find out the truth we may have a hard time of it…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 30 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35