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 beyond Culpeper
Sunday Dec”r 27, 1863
Dear Wife,
Today it began to rain after a pretty cold night We did not get orders to move until past noon and then moved off to our destination It rained pretty hard and set in late in the afternoon to rain steadily which it is now doing The men under their shelters on the wet ground which is all frozen__A cavalry camp of the 1st New York close by, not yet given up as it has a small camp guard might have furnished the men with some partial accommodation but their dilatory arrangements in moving retards both regiments from becoming comfortable this does not apply to me however. It is pitch dark at ¼ to 7 Oclock the rain pattering on the canvas roof of the tent__I am sitting on my bed made on two boards placed upon twp cross pieces which rest in crotches at the four corners,; as it is not so cold as it was I hope in spite of rain to be comfortable to night and there is every possibility of it thank Providence for another blessing for such comfort. I hope this is final for the winter there is no reason which I can perceive for any more movement unless we may be disturbed from beyond the Rapidan__As we passed through Culpeper the other day I heard one of the men say__This is Cold Pepper I wonder where’s hot pepper You’l find hot pepper about ten miles beyond said one of his companions
I hope before the winter is over that something will be done in the way of settling this war from Davis message in which he alludes to the terrific sacrifice of life on both sides I am induced to think if they saw their way clear they would be glad enough of an end of it—
The winter will [purpose?] against them an army of blacks which they have more reason to dread than anything else and place further off any hope of settling matters upon any basis which can be satisfactory to those who now hold the reins of government in the south. Would I could see a ray of light upon the path towards [illeg.]from the army myself but I do not and cannot cease to hope for it at an early day. I think I have been shamefully treated in all my relations with the Government but if under the mercy of Providence I have contributed anything to the success of the cause I shall not complain but still trust the mercy of a [illeg.] may bring me soon home to you again__Good night beloved may God’s mercy surround us our dear children and Uncle and bring us soon together again . Your loving husband,
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 27 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38