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 at Warrenton Junction
Head Qrs 121st Regt P.V.

July 26, 1863

Dear Wife

I sent you a short note this morning and now begin another – the regiment reduced to less than 100 muskets is on picket and I am alone in Camp –To day I received my Commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the 121st Regt PV from Harrisburgh So that if it is any satisfaction to you the title of Mrs Colonel B &c is yours.  It is but little to me – it stops a gap prevents any one being put over me in the regiment and gives me relatively a higher position in the list of Corps officers nothing more.  it is dated 23rd April last – I have thought it ought to have been sent forward with more alacrity but suppose they have had enough work at Harrisburgh in the last few months–To day I learnt the 59th hymn–I got two letters from you, 18th & 21st and my joy over them is inexpressible.  I do so long to be with you – I dont know what is going on about us but I think the whole army is coming together here and perhaps some active operations may take place.  With all the bad news Lee must be in a bad way and if he gets much further South I should think it likely his army might become broken up – Keep the papers which have any official accounts of the battles – I find that the battle of Wednesday was fought by Ewell and A P Hill – against our Corps and part of the 11th – whilst Longstreet was getting into position to face our left next day.   A letter in the Richmond Despatch of July 8th published in the NYk Times on the 18th contains a reasonable account of the 1st day – it is a summary but it is exactly our idea of what they were at.  To day is Monday 27th when I close my letter in Momentary expectation of marching orders.  Good dear wife, God bless and preserve you and grant us a speedy restoration to each other.
Your loving husband
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 26 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Warrenton Virga
Thursday 23rd July 1863
Head Qrs 121st Regt P.V.

…

Newton & Kenly both refused a second resignation which I sent in.  I have just been turning over in my mind the question of pushing it and appealing from Newton’s decision so as to send it to Meade but think I will first reflect upon it for it gives rise to several views Such as the probability of immediate action &c &c  I dont think any battle likely to occur unless Lee attacks us which is improbable although possible – if he does I hope he will catch a worse result than before– Our Conduct (the bread buy) at Middleburg I think will make a stir among the Richmond folks – it has done so among our Commissaries and Quartermasters.  I hope it will lead to systematic reprisals.  they do now take horses and beef Cattle in many Cases – Our Cavalry are said to have Captured some 700 head of Cattle and a large number of sheep lately purchased for Lee in this valley and on their way to him–Whoever thinks this Country shows any want of means of providing the necessities of life such as wheat, Corn and Cattle is woefully mistaken – the valley is productive in the extreme – although some villages are deserted, some plantations destroyed and the immediate vicinity of an army eaten out, that really is but very little Compared with all that remains–Our bread was baked in Middleburg with scarce an effort – a trifling demand to be sure, but enough to show that the residents were strangers to such a thing as want – how we laughed over their indignation – spoke of how a photograph of a dozen fair secessh up to their elbows in dough would appear or what their Conversation might be.  the misery of the unfortunate men and women who knew nothing of bread making and engaged in it for the first time and the expansion they must have given to their vocabulary when Commenting upon poor Hulse – who received their outspoken vituperation–Please ask Patrick to have a light piece of leather sewed over the boot which is Cut, before packing it up – the boot was Cut because it was too tight – perhaps both are so.  It is now near midnight so beloved I close for the present…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 23 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Hamilton
Loudoun County Virga
July 19th 1863 Sunday

…

…

We have been passing through a fertile and beautiful part of Virginia and have bread frequently, which always seems necessary for entirely good health.  On our march from Hagerstown we saw several pretty houses, one of a Mr Prochette said to be deserted, A large white building with four green windows in a front all closed up, with hedges all untrimmed, barns and corn cribs empty.  To day in passing through Waterford which is pretty much inhabited by the Quakers  I for the first time saw several rather pretty female faces – several elderly Quakers with solemn aspect spectacles and plain clothes waved Union flags as we passed by in sadly patriotic silence but I have no doubt it was hearty and genuine feeling on their part — one poor fellow who came (improperly) through the camps last night was so cross questioned by Chapman that he got quite frightened evidently fearing he might be called on publicly to repeat what he said which might expose him to the ire of Secesh neighbors. he sent us some black berries in the evening. In the midst of the conversation Chapman turned to me and said, “How long did they leave that spy hanging at Frederick?[“] referring to an execution of a spy by General French. We both afterwards agreed that it was cruel for the poor fellow was evidently scared and Could have no idea what harm less creatures we really were – having a notion that he looked upon all soldiers as men of blood we for a moment forgot our respect for ancestry and made the assumption by innuendo that spies might be in harmless Quaker guise – he got very talkative after a little while and told us all we wanted to Know which was chiefly how to get bread butter and blackberries…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 19 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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)

This letter is the second dated June 16. Based on the description of “Friday evening,” this may have been written on Friday, July 17.

Transcript:

Friday evening

July 16th 1863

To day I dined with Laurie’s and Lambdin’s mess and had a pleasant afternoon comparatively. We had Boston bread & white bread butter beef apples and corn starch what we consider a very fine dinner – We occasionally have visitors from other regiments but do not do much of it ourselves – You know I am not much given to it –  Our Lieut Col is away expected tomorrow and Chapman though better is not very well able to attend to such things as my court martial duties leave him alone in the Camp – I am so glad you did what you could for Pippet. I am sure he will feel grateful for the remembrance of him through you – he is a fine fellow – the real officer of his company although is first Lieut Hulse I am very sorry for such attacks as he has had are always attended with great risks and I fear he may suffer a good deal before we see him again – I shall be most glad to have your barberous orders if I can only fulfil the circumstance of your giving them – that of getting home to you – In the open air, exposed to malaria, on dusty roads and in sudden changes of temperature, the moustache and beard I believe to be a great protection. I have never worn a cravat since I left Washington and cannot say I am any the worse for so doing­ –  I have in my military Career much to be thankful for and hope I will always carry with me a grateful heart for the goodness and mercy which has overshadowed me. You will of course remember me to aunt Hannah and her husband and sweet daughters – Also to Genl Hunter if you see him – there is something decided about his course which I like and I think I see in it more of the General who works for an end which he keeps in view than one who merely works from time to time with the means at hand – Remember me to Helen and tell her to do so for me to her husband. I am glad her father has got the post of Senator.

Love to the darlings, dear Aleck Julia and our sweet little photographs and above all to yourself beloved through all time.

Your husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 16 [i.e. 17] July 1863 Rush:IV:30:33

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:

Sunday 12 July 1863
In the field E of Hagerstown
near Beaver Creek — behind
the barricades facing East

Dear Julia
On the 10th inst we remained all the day long in the field and slept at night in the woods on fence rails laid side by side and covered with wheaten straw–a very comfortable bed – Yesterday we found that three regiments of Vermont troops in our Division had been ordered to report to General Robinson’s second Division and that General Kenly with 1600 Maryland troops had been added to us – he (General K) by virtue of seniority is Division Commander which makes me Major again – our little regiment now varies from 94 men to 116 as the sick and weakly with the musicians are present or absent –we have been moved about 1/2 a mile East of our former position and are about 1 mile west of the rise of the mt, with the 1st and 2nd Brigades drawn up in line of battle behind a barricade with two pieces of artillery on our right. The position to Chapman and myself seems simply ridiculous. On our left a smooth round topped hill overlooks and enfilades the whole line – if we are to regard this as an emanation from General Kenly’s tactical system – he must be a great humbug – but a cavalry force 250 strong in front of us, who have scouts out have not seen a rebel for 24 hours and I dont believe that they are near this part of our defences – for the last two days everything has been perfectly quiet save a little distant firing – we think the Rebels hold the line of Antietam Creek from Hagerstown to the Potomac although we hear that two Army Corps are across – last night we slept on the ground in the edge of a wood. Chapman is beginning to fear for his leg again. Dont mention it for it is very slight – we are now thinking about breakfast – send me a package of tea (1/2 a lb) by mail, let Patrick pay postage on it as a parcel – address it – wrap it up strongly and it will come safe but dont put any letter in it – or with it – let those go separately – I have this morning got two papers from home but no letter – I suppose I shall have one in a day or two–I have nothing more to tell you to day – A poor soldier is very much out of the way of news and indeed much out of the way of everything – I trust Providence will bless our cause with success and put an end to this useless war –  I cannot help thinking that the rebel loss might be greater even than they admit but a few days will show. I like Meade’s being so quiet – he will be quick enough in time of action–Good bye dear wife – God bless and preserve you and the children with dear Uncle and avert all evil from your doors and may I again be restored to you in happiness Your loving husband
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 12 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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:

Friday July 10th.We marched to day from South Mt – through Boonsboro to this point Hagerstown about 3 miles distant NNW.We are facing nearly NE and I believe are protecting our right flank. the enemy are believed to be in force their line extending from Hagerstown along the Antietam hills and Covering Wmsport – I hear that some of Foster’s troops are here – the cannon are now firing to my left – we are in a hollow, in a measure screened from fire – Having said this dear wife I have nothing more to add saving thank God for his merciful protection of me so far and to trust in his mercy to restore us to each other trusting that he will give me strength to say “thy will be done” whatever befals me and that his loving Kindness will watch over you and ours and dear Uncle to avert all peril and danger to us or to our souls – God bless you beloved.A few days will now ascertain if we are to be successful or again unfortunate – whatever be the result let us always thank our heavenly father for his mercy.
Your loving
Alexander

You dont know how your words comfort and sustain me – If anything should happen to me dont stir a step from home until you are sent for you could do no good

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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 (excerpt):

Thursday July 9th 1863
Camp on west side of Gap
South Mt — near Boonsboro

Dear Julia

…

I have been tolerably well so far and hope to get through well – though rather short of provisions and with poor food. I have lived so long in the open air without shelter that I find out many of my old necessities to be only luxuries. We now hear cannon nearly north of us towards Cave town and expect orders to move  –  Afternoon We have been lying here all day and will probably remain tonight – other Corps have gone forward towards Boonsboro and constant Cannon firing has been heard – One of our men has just brought in a Cavalry soldier of Stuarts – he says he is of the 5th Company of Col Randall’s North Carolina Cavalry was born in NYk is 22 yrs of age and been working and living at the Gold Mines for 6 yrs. he said he had a brother in the Union service and wanted to get North – he wore a very good grey cloth jacket – butternut pants with a large button on the jacket with an I on it. He said the men of his command were much dissatisfied. they got $12 a month in Confederate scrip. They could not desert for they always had guards generally of Texas or Mississippi troops and when they went into action their best troops were in the second line and always fired on those who ran from the first – the troops from Cotton states were spoken of as their most certain – the Georgia and North Carolina less so – because of disaffection to the cause. It would seem from his account that they used very strict discipline to keep down all appearance of disaffection – As the Cavalry man remarked, “When a man gets into action and is shot at – he might as well shoot too.”– Rosengarten gave me your letter – told me Uncle was improving and that you were well – you dont know how grateful it is to me to think that we have relieved you in Philadelphia of your anxieties, at least so far. I send you a slip, Meades despatch– Our regiment was in the reserve of the left centre and under the fire Meade describes. One of our men had a finger torn off by a piece of shell – A man in another regiment close by lost a hand – and many of the men were struck by spent fragments of shells but we sustained no more injury – three caissons were blown up – in the batteries and on the road within 15 or 20 minutes of each other – our force now after retaking Gettysburg and getting back some prisoners is 94 men – leaving our loss in the first days fight 162 – out of 256.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 9 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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

Monday July 6th 1863
Bivouac near Emmittsburg

Dear wife
We this morning moved from our position near Gettysburg to within a mile of Emmittsburg. there was a little firing on the 4th July but no action – in the night it rained continuously, we sleeping on a rock next morning the 5th the rebels had left – we remained whilst other Corps moved off and moved to day – the road very muddy but all cheerful – the loss of both Armies will prove to be frightful – Antietam not to Compare to it. I rode over the battle fields in the afternoon with the Colonel – Although burial parties had been out all day – they were still lying in every field horrid to see – in one place I saw four rebels dead side by side as if they had been all killed at the same moment – arms, accoutrements, dead horses, broken gun Carriages added to the dismal scene. the rebel entrenchments were very strong – far more perfect than our own – and much more Carefully prepared – their barriers and rifle pits were everywhere. I rode to the field where the battle of the 1st July was fought at such disadvantage by us. It seems that Doubleday was ordered by Howard to keep the position at any cost – our firm resistance enabled the 11th Corps to take its position on the Bellevue hill and the Army to form its plan of operations – on the field in the direction of the fire of our regiment were many graves and we found some 15 of our men in the hospital – some slightly, some very badly wounded – To day we have marched not knowing exactly what was to take place and now hear that we may march back again. At present there seems to be some uncertainty about our movements – The Colonel is again in Command of brigade and I have the fragment called a regiment.our four regiments in this brigade look about as large as one ordinary one. I have dear Julia endeavored to give a sketch of all we have done – last night I again slept on a rock with a blanket over me it rained during the night and was not very comfortable, my clothes having been pretty damp for the last 48 hours – Louis too is a little lame – he struck his foot on some sharp thing in our last nights ride. The people are Coming back to Gettysburg but I have seen little or nothing of any defensive efforts of theirs. I close dear wife. Good bye. God bless you, Uncle & the children.
Your loving
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 6 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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:

Saturday July 4th 1863. Bivouac in the field —

Dear Julia
Yesterday has passed away with success to our arms after a terrible shelling for two hours and a half and an attack on our position which was entirely defeated – the rebel loss must have been frightful – it is clearly so for the ground is strewed with their fallen and wounded – Longstreet is not a prisoner but is said to be wounded – A General Olmstead is prisoner– This morning the rebels appear to have retreated some distance as our skirmishers are considerably advanced – yesterday we had two men wounded by the shelling and indeed it is nothing but God’s Mercy which has saved our little command for there is no other expression but terrible to designate the character of their fire – last evening we had another sign of promise in a beautiful rainbow and afterwards a storm of rain which only reached us slightly – We had but little to eat but quite enough and slept undisturbed on some fence rails inclined against a stone wall – Our force this morning sums up 82 men and 6 officers – the increase being – the Colonel, Adjutant & Doctor returned from Brigade Hd Qrs and Lieut Powel from the sick, together with some stragglers and men from the town who were prisoners now recaptured. The day is overcast, looks likely to be rainy – I could tell you incidents of risk and escape without number but I do not like to dwell on them I thank God for his merciful preservation of me and trust his protection will be granted to us and that we may succeed in driving our foes from our soil– May he bless and preserve you dear wife and dear Uncle and the children. I have written this in hopes of finding a chance of sending it and now hear it can be done so close it up.– I have just seen Ashhurst, Adjt of the 150th, wounded in the shoulder – Langhorne Wister was wounded in the mouth on the first the day of our repulse he is a prisoner– Frank Webster is said to be killed–

I hear that the old soldiers say this is the worst fight of the war – working parties are now out burying the dead – there are many rumors afloat – one is that Beauregard was to join Lee from Richmond with 25,000 men – another is that the Harpers ferry troops under French will join us to day or to morrow, 20,000 strong, another is that Couch from Harrisburg is moving with the new troops on the track of those who have been withdrawn from before the town I pray that God may grant us success – and I think that the new life that success has given to us will also avail a very very great deal under God’s mercy– May we receive due blessing with thankfulness and with kind dispositions to avail all who fall into our hands– Again dear wife may God bless and preserve you and ours and grant to us and dear Uncle many happy years of peace to soon come
Your loving Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 4 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33

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:

Bivouac on the field near Gettysburg
Friday 3rd of July 1863

Dear Julia
Yesterday and up to this time to day we have been in battle, at times under very sharp shelling but holding the reserve position – we are formed on a line of hills nearly in the form of a “U” about two miles round. the dot is about where we are and where we have been since the battle of the first – we have moved about 200 yds with the various changes ordered but always within a short distance of our first position We are now facing westward with a barricade of rails in front of us and beyond are two regiments of our brigade and still further out our skirmishers, who are only occasionally firing. Yesterday we had sharp attacks at 4 different periods of the day on every point of our position without impression on us. To day we have had very sharp shelling and a heavy attack on our right which is now quiet. guns are heard in the distance towards York. Our loss has been great and so has that of our adversaries greater I think than our own – they fought beautifully with great judgment but I think will be well satisfied with their foe as worthy of their best efforts – the Rebel general Barksdale was brought in last evening and died in our hands, shot in the breast and both legs – You have heard that we lost Reynolds on the 1st I am getting along very well Chapman now commands the regiment – General Newton having been ordered to take command of the 1st Army Corps which sends Doubleday back to Division Rowley to Brigade Chapman to Regiment and myself to my Majority– I am a little in trouble just now as I have no horse. yesterday evening about six Oclock our position was violently shelled which caused us to get ready to receive an attack and black boys and horses disappeared together with the provisions so that we have no horses and nothing to eat we have got along pretty well by assistance from other regiment God bless and preserve you dear wife and grant us his merciful aid without which efforts of men avail naught and lead this awful war to an early and useful end Love to Uncle and our darlings.
Your loving Alexander

After writing this, about 4 O’clock in the afternoon our position was violently shelled – Doubleday & Rowley both said they never heard more violent shelling. every minute they burst or solid shot ricocheted over us After this they drove in our skirmishers and pushed up to the brow of a hill on our right, for a moment they took a battery but it was immediately retaken. the result is Longstreet wounded and a prisoner – Garrett wounded lying on the field.Gibbons division took 14 stand of Colors, on our front they were repulsed. I think I have seen some 2000 prisoners pass us during the day Their shelling still continues at intervals, sometimes severely. To day is certainly a great success – for which thank the mercy of God to us and our suffering Country.

Your loving AB

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 3 July 1863. Rush IV:30:33