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Fort Clarence Rochester Kent

May 4^th 1865

My dear Julia

Although I have written so very lately to you, yet still I feel I must send a few lines to express our deep sympathy with you all at the sad event which has plunged your country into mourning! The deed was atrocious, + astonishing and certainly doubly afflicting from its arriving just as Victory was crowning Mr. Lincolns four years of no doubt arduous toil and trouble. Oh! It is sad very sad to think of his coming to such a fearful end. The papers will tell you all England is mourning with you, and most sincerely. I never remember in my life a greater sensation everywhere when the awful news was announced. Even in this place, you saw persons, of all ranks, grouped together, talking with grief + horror, deposited in their faces. And many at full would not credit the news. Poor Mrs. Lincoln how she is to be pitied. Such a fearful blow, will be one indeed very hard for her to get over unless she knows the power of true religion and with whom to lay her sad brothers of sorrow + woe!

All here hope and trust your present President will follow in the steps of his late master and do well for his country but he never will be our Abraham Lincoln!!

I send you one of our penny papers, the “Chatham news,” to show you from the leading articles the feeling in this neighborhood to the awful tragedy.

Thanks dear Julia for the papers you sent me. They were most acceptable + have been and read and reread by us and lent to some of our friends who were most [anxious?] to see them. I found out many well remembered names of [illeg.] I hope yourself + all those near and dear to you are well and all our other relatives-please remember us affectionately to them.

We saw poor Jane Cuthbert the other day. Her spirits are only a very little better. She seems to brood over her deep affliction too much and not exert herself sufficiently to be entirely resigned to the Will of her Heavenly Father who never afflicts but for some wise purpose. I talked to her of poor Mrs. Lincoln’s sad affliction but she seemed to think it was scarcely equal to hers! Poor dear Jane, I am quite sure if she now took more interest in her home duties she would be happy and more resigned. Accept dear Julia a great deal of love for yourself+ all those about you-and believe me-ever yours affectionately

Julia

However Jane Cuthbert desired to be remembered to you all.

Citation: Julia Manners, autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. Fort Clarence, Rochester; 4 May 1865. Rush IV:31:55

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 at 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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October 2^nd 1864

Dear Wife

My journey has passed off very pleasantly so far. We stopped for the night at Altoona as I wrote to you afterwards at Chicago and came here on Saturday yesterday arriving after dark.

In the cars they polled the passengers. There were 98 for Lincoln and 24 otherwise. In another car on the Penn RR when Lumbert was departed from us they did the same and the result was 25 for Lincoln and 18 otherwise.

I noticed a new peculiarity. The cars-a man came along with a parcel of sealed packages the contents unknown which he offered with a flaming notice of someone of them having something valuable in them. Another way of taking advantage of that hope of a lucky turn which induces so many poor people to try lotteries.

I feel a good deal relieved in getting away from unpleasant thoughts of business relationships closed and broken and winding up a connection which I think Father intended and hoped would be transmitted through generations of his descendants and hope this trip will do me good and that I will come back with a disposition more calm and reasonable than I have had and which my dear wife I fear has exhibited itself in troubling you. But I know you will forgive me and when you can guide and help me in all good actions as you have always done.Tomorrow our first day’s shooting begins. I have told L that I expect him to do the greater part of that for I am out of practice and just feel like walking as I used to do. But I pray we see both of the same temper in that respect. Together this morning we cooked the breakfast, he doing the larger half whilst I attended to preparing two [teul?] I find the country much changed and about here many of the people seem to be for M Clellan but the better part for Lincoln.

Goodbye dear Wife. Give love and kisses to dear Aleck Harry Julia Winny and the darling Louis and above all to yourself.

From your loving

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 2 October 1864 Rush:IV:31:02

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 at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel). He was honorably discharged January 9, 1864.

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Camp SW of Culpeper

Jany 6. 1863 [i.e. 1864]

Dear Wife

Although late at night I cannot go to bed without writing

Concluded our trial and returned to camp this morning but nothing of import has occurred today except my getting your letter of January 4^th I am very much surprised to hear what you say as to Tom and his charges to Clem I could hardly have thought that such an order of things could have arisen so soon I trust I may in God’s mercy be permitted to return to you and take care of my own affairs. I did not think you had so much reason for your opinions as you now show you must have had. I have always found you the best blessing and guide to me and I rejoice in having such a wife. May God bless you the little ones dear Uncle [Mollie?] and her little ones Emily & hers and brother Clem to whom remember me your loving husband Alexander…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.6 January 1863[i.e. 1864]. Rush:IV:30:27

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 at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp S W of Culpeper

Jan’y 4^th, 1863[i.e. 1864]

Dear Wife

I set to my usual duty and pleasure of writing a few lines to you. Today we found snow on the ground which had fallen during the night which increased during the day to about two inches. It did not prevent my walking into Culpeper to attend Court which pretty nearly finished its business I walked back in the snow and thought of home wishing I were with you It has begun to rain now with a promise of a thaw and mud. We got the mail today through some mischance – We have been pretty busy with monthly reports and quarterly returns &c &c and I hope have gotten through nearly all – Good night beloved always hoping thinking and dwelling on the idea that the day of return is not far distant and that we may soon be together again I pray God to bless you all and surround you with happiness and comfort for the little ones Good night Your loving husband Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.4 January 1863[i.e. 1864]. Rush:IV:30:27

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 at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

Camp Near Culpeper Virg

January 3^rd 1863

Dear Wife

I have your letters of 31st ulto & 1^st Jany and have done as you directed – Dear Wife don’t worry about thinking aloud to me. I always put letters in the fire for I have constantly before me the chances of War and a correspondence laid open to what inspections which I would not have appear in public papers. So what I don’t think of absolute necessity to preserve I destroy – thank you for the advertisement – the slip is cut a little crooked – Is the new firm – Thos: Biddle & Co or Thos Alex Biddle & Co I don’t think Tom has any right to the first style – It should now be extinguished. As no one of that name exists in it and the old firm is dissolved. Tell me how this is if you can without applying to Tom. I perfectly agree with you after what has transpired that my Course was the right one and also that you and Uncle have advised me well. How strange it it that Tom should have such a feeling as jealousy of a man whose life has been in such peril as mine has and yet is – with poor Harry gone too – I think Mr H is mistaken in that view – it can hardly be – I know Tom is of a jealous nature and I would not be surprised if the being a Lieutenant Colonel at the distance he looks at it may seem to him an exaltation for myself I don’t look at it in that light – I have enjoyed enjoyed – how strange the term writes the honors and the perils and prefer much the domestic fireside…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 3 January 1863 [i.e. 1864] Rush:IV:31:01

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 at 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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Camp E of Culpeper

Jan’y 2d” 1864

Dear wife

We have had a day of very cold weather the ground frozen very hard_I don’t think we have had such cold weather since I have been in service__A cup of water placed on our mantelpiece froze in a few minutes so that the water beneath the surface ice would not flow out notwithstanding a good fire war burning in the chimney__This morning I found I was detailed in a Court Martial consisting of Genl Rice Col Munro 2th Michigan Col Dana 143d Col Wister Lt Col Huidehoper 150^th & myself to try another Lt Col for some matter or other__We met in Culpeper, organized, and are to begin on Monday next__So I came back to camp_found the men putting up quarters and getting along tolerably well and so passed the day. We are gradually getting the ground cleared up__will soon have stables built and be moderately comfortable if we remain here. Near us is the place of a Mr Pendleton who was once reported worth 150,000 dollars now hardly able to get enough to eat except through the indulgence of those who had known of him in more peaceful days.__I am now writing in a comfortable tent with a good fire which burns very well as there is now but little wind to make the chimney smoke__I am waiting every moment hoping that our mail service will come in with letters from home__Send me if you can an Inquirer of the first second or fourth or a Bulletin. I want to see if the termination of the partnership of F Boles is announced__I have done all I know how at the present moment towards resigning but I have not been able as yet to make all the necessary settlements which always are tedious when Govt offices are concerned__I have as yet heard nothing from Frank Blair but I still somehow think that if he can aid me we will do so if he gets my letter__How woefully I have been deceived in these army matters__It really does seem to me that no officer since M”cClellan has made an attempt to get a well organized command__Generals work with such tools as are given to them and seem to think all ought to be satisfied if they get paid__I begin to think this veteran volunteer business is to fall through__It has been most abominably managed at Washington___Halleck I believe to be as great a failure or greater than any one yet placed in high military position__Good night dear wife may God soon lead us together again and grant to us and ours many years of peaceful happiness with dear Uncle

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 2 January 1864. Rush IV:31:018

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 at 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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Camp SW of Culpepper

January 1^st 1864 Friday

Dear Wife

With a heavier heart than I ever recollect to have felt I again write to you on this to me sad commencement of a New Year__I was today asked by Wister to dine at brigade HeadQs but begged off. I had no feeling for social meetings indeed the only one I shall care for will be my sweet home until I get there again__ To day has been a busy day__we are getting the camp in order the weather has been cold and windy but it has dried the ground rapidly and we are better off on that account than we were in this mornings mail. I have had nothing to interest me all day long__and for a good part of my time when business and a smoking chimney would permit I have been lying on my bed thinking of Walnut St you and the little ones God bless you all and give you many years of life and happiness with each other and may you have the happiness of seeing our dear ones repaying all your care and honoring it by their development in goodness. I see no prospect of resignation yet. I keep it in view and am pushing all I can but now I have to patiently wait the tedious settlement of the ordnance office__Uncle Sam’s circumlocution office where everything seems to be on the principle of delay all you can. I hope however that I shall eventually have success___I told you that I wrote to Frank Blair__there is a bare chance of his being able and willing to aid me but it is a very slim one__ I have however seized it as a drowning man seizes at a straw__I trust it may be more buoyant and carry me safely over my troubles__They are now making an effort to form veteran volunteer regiments but our regiment does not come under the permission and we have nothing to do with it__I told you of our Brigade having had the second added to it and it now consists of five small regiments equal to about three ordinary ones. It is a very pretty command__I have pretty much got to the end of everything that has occurred to day. I am now waiting to know if any letters have come for us this afternoon before I close my letter__the mail has come in but nothing in it but a parcel of official papers. So to night I shall not have anything to comfort me save the Goodness from above which I trust will support me through everything and soon bring us together again.

God bless you all and keep us thankful for all the mercies which surround us whatever be our lot and however we may hope for better things. You loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 1 January 1864. Rush IV:01:01

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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Camp near Culpeper

Wednesday, December 30^th 1863

Dear Wife,

A happy New Year to you to dear Uncle and to our dearly loved darlings. For the second time since our arrival we have changed camp today we got orders from Col Duchesne who now commands division to change our camps inasmuch as we were not posted as had been directed. A very common occurrence__Newton I think looks by map and not by view__Our men after three days and nights of mud and sadly distressing weather had just completed houses and were beginning to believe they would have some prospect of comfort when we found all our work was pointless inasmuch as our Divisions Genl Kenly does not seem to have comprehended his orders for which of course all the men suffer__After inspecting the ground we arranged where camps should be and are now once more in our tents with beds made and table set candles burning but no fire__Tomorrow we expect to have a chimney built and the bricks are already hunted and lying close by so that in a short time if undisturbed we shall again be in comfort__There is a rumor that a rebel officer rode from post to post along our picket line today saying at one post that he came by orders from the Corps Adgt General giving his name__At another saying he came from Meade’s Head Quarters inasmuch as our Infantry pickets are inside of our cavalry pickets this seems to be a pretty daring act_ I give the rumor as I get it__Tomorrow will close another year__I trust that we may all look back upon the year past as one in which we have made some effort to perform our duty and that the blessing of our heavenly father may strengthen and sustain us to resist all perils of adversity and prosperity__the hope that the blessing of an early and safe return to you beloved and to all my loved ones in the one thought uppermost in my mind__I do hope that this mercy may also soon be realized. To day I have nothing from you__our mails have been very irregular of late-and I fear you also will not receive my missives as soon as you ought. Give Papa’s best wishes to dear Aleck dear Harry dear Julia dear Wilmer and the darling Louis tell them all that Papa hopes in another year that the two first will both read and write well and also Miss Jule__Good night beloved wife may God’s blessing rest upon you at every step__And may we all be preserved for many years of happiness with good Uncle and be permitted to see our little ones reflect credit on their parents. Your loving husband, Alexander

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

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