December 28, 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 Culpeper

December 28, 1863

Dear Wife,

Today I received your letter with date of 23d We have had the most dismal weather you can conceive of for two days to day although the sky is lowering we have continued to put up a chimney and am now writing in a tent the water is fast drying out of the clay mortar and soon we shall have a good solid chimney We have got along comfortably for two days with blankets with only the usual open air fire which is pretty cheerless but is better than nothing. I have never known more trying or more cheerless and uncomfortable weather since I have been in service__the men have suffered much and it is surprising to find how cheerful they are working in about two inches of mud all the time__I write a hurried letter__not being in very comfortable quarters and having had a good deal to do. God bless you dear wife dear children and dear Uncle__A Happy New Year to all of you and God grant that we may pass it together. Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 28 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38