December 24, 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 South of Culpeper

Dec 24^th 1863

Dear Wife

We were under orders last night as I informed you and at about 1/2 past two this morning heard the reveilles blown and beat in the other divisions. We rose and deliberately made the preparations got breakfast, had wagons packed and horses fed and waited and waited until about seven o clock on a cold freezing morning we started on our march. By this point the ground hard frozen and the water so covered with ice that some small streams my horses passed over without breaking through. We marched in sharp wind some 11 miles by Brandy Station thence down the west side on the railroad through to Culpeper a pretty little town with two spires, one a courthouse the other a church about ½ a mile beyond where in a hollow near a Mr. Green’s We are now encamped. I was as usual very much vexed at what seems to me the great folly of getting men up at two o clock at night for the purpose of marching ten miles after day. Our orders were to be ready at early daylight. Daylight is usually early enough for most reasonable people but what early daylight is in a military point of view is a puzzle. The consequence was our men were up ready and waiting for five hours before we moved. Consequence of that was that they were soon craving for another meal after they started. Indeed they were weary before their work begun but this is the usual style of our division and how the general can calculate upon its doing work in time of need when he so little preserves its freshness has often given me subject for thought. I got my men in a hollow partially sheltered from the wind, eat some morsels of cold ham and walked over towards Cavalry Camp near by which we were likely to get for quarters.

As I was standing near the camp a sergeant saluted me saying Cold Morning and asked me about our troops and told me where about they picketed. I asked who they were he said 6^th Penn. What Rush’s Lancers? Yes said he. What officers have you Capt. Lockwood Capt. Stars, Capt. Clark I knew them all and went to Lockwood’s tent or rather house. So you recollect Old Bob’s comfortable dog house at 1626. Well imagine a tenement of about the same relative proportions as regards height width and length about 9ft long by 5 wide wooden sides and canvas cover and you have his very comfortable quarters with little underground flue and a glass window with a curtain at the back. An article of luxurious comfort which unfolded to me some of the delight where the Phenicians of old must have home felt when its use and comfort first became apparent. In fact it took me by surprise I have not had the benefit if such a thing since I left you and I felt myself scanning the transparent aperture inquiringly to ascertain how so much light came in without a draft. Could you believe I have come to this. I passed a very pleasant hour with Lockwood and saw the other officers for a moment. He is in command, Richard, I fear is shelved his step to the invalid corps had ended him I fear his abilities were highly spoke of but he wants the armies for his position. A remark was made that it was better for him to have been sent west by Staunton than to have stayed in the invalid corps. My visit to Lockwood was very pleasant. He showed me the views of his mother’s house you recollect our visit and the side window [we walked?] out of–the photographs bring it all back to me with Mr. & Mrs. Platt Mrs. Lockwood and even the little terrier which gamboled so sprightly. Would I could see the rest again for then I think I should be likely to remain. Returning to my own camp I found three notes, turkey cranberries sugar plums all in excellent order. You have achieved greatness in transmitting a Christmas turkey in such a manner. Many many thanks beloved wife. God Bless you and preserve you and the little ones. Love to [Emily?] and all at home.

Your loving husband

Alexander

The children’s letters are really touching. Thank them much from Papa.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 24 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38