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)
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December 17, 1863
Camp Near Paoli Mills, Thursday Dec. 17, 1963
Dear Wife
By the mail which went this morning I sent a letter to Frank Blair addressing him at Washington, DC and asking him to aid me in procuring an honorable discharge from the service – I do not know if he is in Washington but should my letter reach him I think he will assist me if he can, in the meanwhile I shall take steps here in according to the usual tedious formalities which oftentimes are thwarted by the indolence or favoritism of some Head Qrs clerk. I hope for success and am very willing to get any aid I can to get out. Since the Colonel left us we have clear evidence that we are under another Regime last night I found I had a drunken Corporal on duty – two drunken men and an officer’s servant – the Corporals have been reduced to the ranks fined a month’s pay as have the men the servant has been tossed in a blanket and bucked for the afternoon – Since he has been sent from camp – I find among his drunken misdeeds that he stole a pistol of one of the Doctors – I think the punishment will have a good influence and the regiment will be a cold water regiment for the rest of the year. It has rained pretty steadily since early morning – the ground is soft and covered with mud A movement is spoken of supposed to be a backward one which I shall be very glad of if it gives me any chance of working on the Departments to get home. I do not know that I ever in my life felt myself to be in such a thankless uncared for position as that I now am in. I had an idea that something of a tone of high principle, of self sacrifice for the country’s cause pervaded the Army – there may be an undercurrent somewhere but the surface nowhere exhibits it – all seems selfish petty I would almost say contemptible. I trust it may please God to send me home again out of these troubles and soon but I do not see my chance yet I shall endeavor not to run against anybody and be as docile as possible with all my superiors – Evening has come upon us – the table is just being set for our evening meal – the Dr & I are both writing to our homes – Give me any news you can of Blair if you have any for if he goes to Washington I will write him another letter if he is not now there – Does it not seem strange that out of ten Captains and three field officers I should be the last one who has been through the perils of the Company’s unhurt and yet in the Army – I have to thank God for his merciful preservations of me and I trust he will continue that mercy to me and restore us to each other in our sweet home with our children again. Your loving husband Alexander. Love to Uncle.
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 17 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38