June 29, 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 Emmittsburg  Md
June 29th Monday

Dear Wife
Yesterday Sunday afternoon we broke up Camp at Middletown and marched to Frederick Md – and encamped in the fields North of the town during the night. this morning we marched via Lewistown, Catoctin furnace, Mechanicsville and Franklinville to this place – which we passed through and are now in camp to NE of the town – The Country was beautiful which we passed through we saw near this place Mt St Marys Seminary – Roman Catholic and Also saw st Josephs (Sisters of Charity) near the town – the Country was beautiful which we passed through – looking eastward over a wide expanse of hill and valley very like that of Chestnut hill – In all the towns people Came out and waved handkerchiefs and showed very cheering signs of friendship – we heard various rumors of rebels passed a regiment of Cavalry with some 30 Rebel prisoner and patiently awaiting orders which may be sent to us – we hope for success and may God in his mercy grant it to us and give us such a sense of right that we shall be able to govern all our actions with justice to all our countrymen I have hurried through these few lines to give you the latest news from me – we have marched to day about 25 miles Chiefly in the rain but over a very muddy road which was very trying to the men. A few days will bring our part of the Matter to an issue and then the different plans will be developed. may God preserve you dear wife and my dear Uncle and all the little ones and lead us all safe through all danger and trials to a happy reunion. In Emmittsburg we saw the remnants of a fire which destroyed about two dozen houses two weeks ago – Meade is said to have Command of the Army.
Your loving husband
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 29 June 1863. Rush IV:30:32