June 4, 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:

121st Regt P.V.
June 4th 1863

Dear Julia

I have as I told you I would do sent in my resignation – I am now awaiting results to see whether it will be accepted or not. Chapman who has behaved in the handsomest manner about it says he thinks it will be accepted.I say I do not although I think my reasons are perfectly sound ones for the purpose and should cause it so to be.
I have not yet heard from Harrisburg as to whether they have appointed me Lieut Colonel or not but I do not care what they do in that respect, unless my present resignation is refused – Last night at half past one we received orders to be ready at 1/2 an hour after daylight with everything packed and arms stacked on the parade – We slept quietly up to sending for the Quartermaster to get rations which we wanted but within an hour after got visits from orderlies and Aids to see if we understood the order. At day break we all arose – a regiment near us beat the long roll (without Authority) which Caused a turning out of some neighboring regiments unnecessarily – Again we received visits from Aids about Arms to be stacked on parade ground – finally we stacked arms and the men began to get tents down. About 3/4 of an hour after it was done Came a reiteration of the old orders about stacking arms which I had the satisfaction of saying had long ago been complied with – soon not a tent but those of the sick was standing – then Came the ambulances to take the Sick – we had five officers to send away, excellent fellows who were put into ambulances and rolled and jolted in the hot sun – We remained in this position until about 11 O’clock when an orderly Came to say we Could again pitch our tents and sleep as much as we pleased – there we were with tents down, no breakfast, (that is with an irregular one all round) with disappointed expectations after waiting so long in a hot sun for something to occur to find out it was merely Doubleday in a feeze – He had received just the same order as the 6th Corps close by us who never took down a tent or disturbed any of the usual routine whilst our men were really wearied – so it is always – we think him very much of an humbug – I tell you only the facts. I am getting on very well – have done no duty as yet – I hear our Brigade is to be Consolidated with the 2nd Brigade – we now have in our Brigade less than 1000 men (a full regiment) and nearly half of these will soon leave us – I hope I shall soon do so too, for I see no reason why I should not – God bless you dear wife and may he in his mercy grant me a speedy return to you, dear Uncle and the Children never more to part.
Your loving
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 4 June 1863. Rush IV:30:32