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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virg

April 19^th 1863 Sunday

Dear Julia

I enclose herein $800. It is almost all the pay I have received for the last six mos and will aid you somewhat without the necessity of calling on the office which you seem to dislike – Of course if you dislike to keep so much by you, you need not can send what you please to the office to be credited to my account – I don’t want you to say anything about what it is unless to Uncle – The Paymaster arrived this morning or rather yesterday and commenced paying this morning our regiment were all paid in the forenoon – The Paymaster is Sam Henry a brother of Mayor Henry and Charlton Henry. In the afternoon we rose over to dine with Col Wister of the 150 and remained there until near Sundown We saw the dress parades of a number of regiments – We hear again to day of rumored success towards Gordonsville and hope it is true but we have had so much of that sort of thing that we hardly feel as if we had a right to expect it We have not yet marched but are holding ourselves in readiness so to do at any moment and may be will go very soon – A few days since I sent home my bed frame which may go direct to you from Washington by Adams Express or may go by Lieut Hoyt to Philadelphia Hoyt is a very well known character in Philadelphia and will probably send it to the house if he takes it with him – He was formerly known as a gambler in Philad but it is said has endeavored to earn for himself a good reputation in the Army and has been Commissary to the Brigade – I only mention this that you may know all about persons whom I mention…

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

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 Belleplains Virg

Head Qrs 121 Reg PV.

Wednesday April 15^th 1863

Dear Julia

I today got your note and your dear picture of the little one and your sweet self by Lieut Habe who joined us today. The picture is no doubt a perfect likeness of the dear little one but his early expression I think gives him a right to be supposed to have a will of his own – your own sweet face, your bonnet too were inexpressible delights to me and made me long for the happy day when I shall move towards home – I also got this evening a long letter from Uncle for which I have greatly to thank him and read every word of it with great pleasure I think he always judges rightly of others and hope I shall always do just what he thinks ought to be done for I do most heartily concur in every view he expresses, he tells me not to answer his letters and to do so through you On the Review Rush’s lancers were the closing part of the Cavalry pageant – I wrote to you a pretty full description – The Regular Cavalry which came first were most remarkable for their clean dresses and exact lines but the closing part of the review was the formation of the lancers in line of battle facing the President which they did rapidly and with great precision – they looked as well moved with as much facility and in short made a most brilliant appearance They are a fine Corps As fine as any in the Army – as well officered and as well drilled but from some unknown Cause they are always on detached duty at different head Quarters or by themselves and are very much sneered at by those who have been through the rough and tumble of Army life…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 15 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30

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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains

April 14^th Tuesday

Dear Wife

We will probably start tonight for no one knows where. but we are ready and packed waiting orders We are not to make may fires and the idea seems to be to make a quiet move Some where I trust this expedition May meet with better success – As we have been unsuccessful twice perhaps the third time all will go well – I do not know when I shall next be able to write to you and can only hope that God in his mercy will watch over and grant us a safe and happy return to each other I have been thinking about names and if you have named the dear little one let it stand – I will however give a name if you will not choose and it will be Thomas it has always been a good name in our family and I see no reason why there should not be two of that name in out own family Circle – there always have been –…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 14 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30

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 (excerpts):

Camp near Belle Plains Virg

Head Qrs 121 Reg PV.
April 12^th 1863 Sunday.

Dear Julia

Yesterday I concluded my three days tour of picket duty which began on the 8^th and ended yesterday morning – it was a stupid business being with detachments of new regiments who have to be instructed in every thing. I was obliged to visit the whole picket line three times in each 24 hours and to do it as I thought it ought to be done took from ½ to three hours – I had very pleasant weather however – two of my Lieutenants Dorr and Raymond were with me for the first 31 hours but after they went to their outposts and the old ones became the reserves I had a very different set – the best one of the new officers told me he had been a child in the upper part of Schuylkill County that as a boy for many years he worked on the Schuylkill Canal boats have since been farmer horse dealer butcher tavern keeper billiard table keeper and said everything would have slipped through his fingers had it not been for a good wife – he spoke to me quite feelingly of how he used to sell a glass of liquor for 5 cents to a man whom he knew ought to spend it on bread for his children and how after discussing the matter with his wife he gave up the business – he also told a straightforward story of how he sold a nearly blind horse to a farmer and seemed to relish how he took him in greatly – when I say this man was one of the best of these officers you may imagine the tone of the rest – one I find playing cards with five or six of his men – at one of the outposts at night I walked off with four muskets before any one knew I was there and the man who first found it out didn’t know where they had gone to I was stopped three times from passing the posts in broad daylight by sentinels I had spoken to – who had not yet got to comprehend that any body in the world could do anything with them but their Captain…

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

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):

April 10^th 1863

Last night after returning from visiting outposts and advanced sentinels which took me from ½ past three lit a little piece of Candle and opened the little prayer book you gave me at the 27^th psalm Look at it and tell me if you don’t think it rather Comforting to a soldier It was the 27^th psalm not the 26^th – Look at the twelfth verse When I read it I thought of you and what a guide and counselor I have found in you and how you have led my steps which have been prone to wander back to paths which I would choose to follow – If you read this psalm and picture to yourself a tired body coming back from a long night walk from sentinel to sentinel you will I think see in it a sort of peculiar application to the time place and circumstance which I hope is a good omen – I am now going to close my letter to be ready when the boy comes out from camp to send it back to go by mail

Good Bye Beloved

Your loving

Alexander

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

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):

Head Quarters picket line

April 8^th 1863

Relieved the picket posts under charge of Captain Osborne at 10 O’clock A.M. visited the two reserve picket posts – the eleven outposts and the advanced sentinels in the forenoon. between 12 & 1 Mrs Howe from outside the picket line passed in with a team her son and a negro boy Arthur on a pass from Genl Patrick  to expire on 10^th inst her object being to go to Washington to procure clothing. A Lieutenant of the Signal Corps passed out on the night of the line – with a pass to expire on the 30^th inst. Jenkins a farmer on the right of the line presented a pass allowing him to go outside of the lines to ^procure again &c expire on the 15^th inst – approved this pass for the day (8^th inst) Col Stone Army Corps [FG?] visited picket at one Oclock

Mrs Howe, servant Arthur passed back at 5:10 in the afternoon visited sentinels outposts and reserves between six and returning at eight Oclock – visited sentinels outpost and reserves between two Oclock returned at 4 Oclock Dr Ashton passed out in last evening on a pass from General Patrick – The surgeon on the 157^th Reported in the afternoon…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), notes. 8 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30

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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virg

April 3^rd 1863 Sunday

Dear Wife

To day I rec’d your letter of 2^nd and have been reading it over and over – I did not find the little fold of paper with darling baby’s hair until after I read it I then searched through my papers found the envelope of the old letter and the little bit of paper with the little sandy tress in it and kissed it again and again and again and put it in my purse next to my heart You wont choose a name what do you think of Adolph Ernest Eugene Julian – the third or any of these would please me – the two first are not quite so liquid & soft as the last two, they to my ear have a little more toughness but none the worse for that – the first I like – so the second So the third – Eugene signifies well born and I don’t think the little fellow could have a much better mama at least if there is such a one I have yet to know it – Adolph was the name of the Major of the Anderson troop who so nobly sustained its fame at Murfresboro when others quailed and shrank from duty – a little flattery dear wife and it is a real gratification to find that you hear pleasant things said of me, I am very glad to that it came from Fanny Cadwalader whom I have always liked exceedingly tho; as you know I have thought myself out of the good graces – George I hear is to take command of the second Army Corps before long and I also hear that Hooker was once on his staff in Mexico and I presume he will have a good deal of influence with him Charley C I believe is now on Hooker’s staff – For my part I am anxious that our regiment should be in fine order and a model if possible but we have had no chance – We left Philadelphia without arms without drill except that of a few Companies at Edgewood and have had no chance since except when actually in the field struggling against the elements and a short commissariat for comfort and substance – I have no desire for any more credit that the desire that in my sphere it should be clear that I have done my full duty and no influence can give me any other Consideration that I care for…

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

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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belle plains Virg

April 2^nd 1863

Dear Julia

I have just returned from a review of our Corps by Hooker – about 9 Oclock this morning the day very windy and notwithstanding the late rains dusty We got an order to be on brigade drill ground preparatory to a review by Reynolds at 10. – hardly had the proper order been issued when an order Came to form on the brigade ground at 9 O’clock it was then 20’ past the time. Chapman who had a little cold and who still has to be careful left me in Command – the battalion was put under arms and we marched immediately I was on the ground about 20 minutes before any other regiment – we after a good deal of fussing (Our Brigadier General being absent of special duty to day) took up our line of march for the Review ground about a mile distant – got there in good time and bye and bye General Doubleday Reynolds the 2^nd Brigade and all others took their places – it required some little fussing and some very funny orders from Aids who did not comprehend the meaning of their messages to get us all as the General desired it was finally effected – but at last it was all right – General Hooker and his staff at last appeared – General H on a white horse and rode at a pretty smart gallop along the lines of the Artillery on out tight and then along and in rear of our brigade And then around the 2^nd brigade – took his place at the flag fixed and we marched past in review – I think our little regiment looked very well I was very much pleased with it after it was all over.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 2 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30

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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg PV

Camp near Belleplains

April 1^st 1863

Dear Julia

Just as I was going over this morning with the Colonel to see our new Brigadier General Rowley an orderly arrived from James Biddle with your package and note – before I started I read the psalm as I supposed but found on coming back I had read the wrong one and on reading your letter over again turned to the little prayer book which is always nigh me and read the 91^st – I don’t know anything more comforting in my trouble than the words I sometimes find in your letters dear wife and the psalm seemed very encouraging to me I had just before read the 101^st psalm – whenever I turn to them I find some words which seem to be of promise of success in future and of return to happiness and home if I make our heavenly fathers precepts my guide in life – I trust his mercy will grant me strength to govern myself by them in all my relations – I have examined the package and given some of Aleck’s remembrance (the ground nuts) to the Colonel I had a long talk with Lieut Frank about Aleck who seemed much amused by his boyish ways. We heard a good deal said about movement and Doubleday named yester tomorrow as the day we should be likely to move but General Rowley seemed to have no idea of it – indeed a Military Commission had been appointed to sit tomorrow which don’t look much like a movement – Something is also said of two Corps being left to protect the landing. I give you all the talk I hear if anything is to be done I would rather move on with the rest of the Army than do any ground duty – there is as much danger from fever and malaria in any stationary post as there is on the march and I believe it far more healthy…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 1 April 1863. Rush IV:30:30

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 Belleplains Vig

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

March 31^st 1863

Dear Julia

Chapman came day before yesterday afternoon – Yesterday I went round with him to visit the different Hd Qrs – Col Porters Genl Doubleday’s – we dined with the Genl and Mrs Doubleday who a niece of Mrs Elizabeth Biddle (Mrs Keating & Mrs Hopkins that was) the meal was a soldiers one and Mrs Doubleday helped to soup with a galvanized iron tinned cup – We walked around the various points of view and came back to Camp – we had two hours of battalion drill in the afternoon and tactics in the evening from 8 till ten.

Chapman does not seem to me strong or well though very much better than when he left us, he says he can walk ten miles easily but to my mind he has not lost the puffed – (dropsied) appearance which I believe is occasioned by his malady No longer in the miserable hole where he was taken ill and as we fare much better then he will do well…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 31 March1863. Rush IV:30:29