September 25, 1862: 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. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript:

Dear Julia,

Your fruit basket of grapes apples and pears came last night. We shall have them this morning at breakfast. Yesterday afternoon it rained and we had no drill but in the evening we had our usual evening parade. We are anxious to get away from here but I presume that I will be here for some time yet. If you can send me the next time you pack up any things for me, a tin lunch box about six inches long by four wide. I had one in the back room of the 3^rd story back on a shelf in the closet but you may not be able to find that. It is useful to carry a piece of meat in in one’s pocket. If you can send me that and a good knife. One of those [illeg.] gathering things if one with large blades and good implements can be got. They cost pretty dear I think but would be useful. I today dispensed some of your blackberry cordial to a sufferer and am very grateful indeed for the kind reminiscences of you. You don’t know how I feel the prospect of our long separation. The trial of danger may be terrible to the strongest, but when I think of the sweet home I have left and the great happiness I have always had in my married life with its surroundings I do think I have left very unusual joys for this new life. I have just finished putting up a tent for Mr. Ferriday our Chaplain expected here today. And also another for our surgeon in chief. Last night we had a cold night of it and it tried a good many of us. I was not uncomfortable. Your lamp has been of the greatest service. It is consistently asked for indeed it is the only one the field & staff possess. We have a Connecticut regiment alongside of us 1040 strong for young men but I have not yet seen anything I like better than the 121^st.

I heard that [Revost’s?] regiment has been sadly cut up. We might have been in the same mischance if we had [illeg.] but when they marched we had none.

I am pleased with the composition of our regiment and think we have a very fair chance of doing well on the field. I begin to feel as if I had all that was necessary for me to have if we march. Everything is very much cut down. There is little to speak of beyond our daily camp life. Every afternoon I see long lines of men in distant fields going through evolutions of battalion drill. And in the afternoon hear the music of regiment after regiment beating off in dress parade sometimes six or seven distinct bands are heard at the same time or the wind is sometimes strong. We have but little silences.

As I again take up my pen I have just come in after battalion drill and evening dress parade. Gen. Casey orders another Division Review for tomorrow and we are getting ready for it. Your box unopened, I am now getting just called to come to supper. Your lamp shining on my writing  New Hampshire Regiment 1040 strong marched us on drill and have pitched their camp in the woods of Arlington close by. Thank you for the box-It was very acceptable but whilst near Washington it is hardly worth the trouble you so kindly take. The butter is indeed a luxury and the cheese will be acceptable to us. I shall keep it for a march. Beef tongue and chickens we can get from Washington. The New Hampshire Massachusetts men have lit fires in the woods where they are encamped and it has a fine effect I am going over with Chapman in a few minutes to the Serg. Generals. Love to Uncle and our dear little ones, Alec + Harry and Julia + Irving. Tell Alec we gave all our drummer boys red capes (not so pretty as his.) but they look very nicely together. It is very pleasant to think you may soon see this scrawl. It is all I can hope for a long time + beloved. Our Chaplain arrived this evening. He has favorably impressed me.

Your affectionate husband

Alex

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 25 September 1862. Rush:IV:30:23