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 Cedar Run Bridge

Dear Wife,

Yesterday passed quietly enough. One cavalry patrol captured two prisoners, one a private in the 4^th Virginia Cavalry [illeg.] in the [home?] of Clinton Columbus [Colvin?] He said he had been about on a 10 d furlough and got home the night before he was captured. His captain was a Randolph and his Colonel Wm Wickham. He was armed and was a good deal surprised. Told us the 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd Virginia were Lee’s brigade and that Stewart had about 8000 Cavalry but was pretty badly off for horse shoes. The other man had been wounded in the first Bull Run and was not entirely recovered yet. Yesterday we got orders to be ready to move and today are ordered to Paoli Mills on the other side of the Rappahannock but I think it very likely we should keep our positions on the Rappahannock. There seems to have been no result from all the late marching &c &c and not much fighting. The 5^th Corps which relieves us is passing by this morning and the officers tell us the rebel position was too strong to attempt it. There seems to be an idea that Longstreet has joined Lee and that we may in our future expect an advance of the Rebels, but I think the war force is pretty much over for the present, although there may be some affairs of out posts. Today is beautifully bright and clear and the ground firm and hard again. I am very anxious to get an opportunity to see you again and at the first halt I shall set to work to take measures to send in my new resignation. We suspect to march sometime today but it may not be for an hour or two yet. I do think the Gen has managed this army very badly. Constantly calling upon it to do impossibilities and fearing to permit its officers to adopt any plans of their own because Washington might be perilled. I hear that there is some disagreement between Meade & Newton. I have no confidence in Kenly and I think this is the feeling of the Division. How can an army do anything when its component parts are discordant? May God bless you dear wife and preserve you and all our dear ones, to long life health and happiness in this world and the next. Give love to uncle.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 5 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 at Cedar Run Bridge

Dear Wife,

We are still at this place although under orders to march to Rappahannock Station. The 11^th Infantry Regulars is encamped in a wood near by and General Ayres has his Head Qts in a wood on the other side of the road. Nothing unusual has occurred today [excepting] that the 5^th Corps has passed us to the different stations which it is ordered to guard. We are not yet notified of being relieved but expect to be so tomorrow. We are told by the officers of the Penna Reserves whom we saw today that the battle beyond the Rapidan did not amount to much except wading through mud we have seen nothing of the prisoners alleged to have taken and shot. We know now that nothing was effected. We understand it to be a program of Halleck’s carried out by Meade contrary to his wishes. We hear that they believe Longstreet has joined the Rebels and we also hear of an advance of the Rebs but we dont think much of that. I was in hopes again that the military power of the Rebs would have been entirely crushed in the late engagements. From our intercourse with the people hereabouts I began to think that they have a very different opinion of our Yankee Army from what they before have had. They all speak very strongly of their desire for peace and would I think be open Unionists if they thought they could maintain their position when our Army leaves the district. Yesterday we sent up to Alexandria an old Negro man and his family. On the same train his master went up as a captured guerilla, singular alternations from captivity to freedom and the reverse. Almost every day some poor Colored people come in and ask for passes on the Railroad which they almost always get. I today wrote to Washington taking a preliminary step about sending in a resignation which I intend today as soon as he got settled. I have a lot of hope that this Congress will settle the matter and that we will have a return to peace. May God grant that it may be so and that I may soon be permitted to return to you from the trammels of the Army. I do think it an outrage to keep an officer against his will without any command he is entitled to have, but what cant be cured must be endured. I am inclined to think that unless the Rebels make an advance upon us that the campaign is closed and I trust with it that the war will soon terminate. I hence a sort of hope that there will be a separate treating of Southern States on their own behalf. I think North Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana, & Tennessee may clearly so act and then I should not be surprised at Virginia following. Good bye beloved. May God keep us all in his holy paths and fill are hearts and minds with the constant desire to do his holy will and hope that it be fully performed in us. Love to my dear little ones to him I trust I may be permitted to care for and aid you in bringing up into good paths. Give love to Uncle. Surely Philadelphia will be a strange city when I see it again after the slight glimpse I had of it in time [last?].

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 4 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 at Cedar Run Bridge

Dear Wife,

I today read your letter of 30^th Nov. and was glad to hear that you got the notes safe, in as much as we have lately heard of some pilfering of the mails. I do indeed recollect the “revering” occasion and the very roguish expression of a dear face which has always filled me with delight and joy would I could be with you again. We hear today that Meade’s Head Qs are at Brandy Station and the whole army is this side of the Rapidan, in other words we believe that Meade has pursued Lee to his lair who is afraid to meet him outside of his selected entrenchments. I am very anxious to have a detailed account of all that has been done. I think much of the plan of this army was arranged to get up political effect about the opening of Congress against Meade’s opinion as to practical results possible to be attained by his force. I hear today entre nous of a rumor of disagreement between Meade and Newton. The latter, though able enough has a vice, drink, which sooner or later will destroy him. He has never been confirmed as Major General by the Senate and there is a possibility of their not doing so, as he is not over popular. Now I surmise if the failing is not the cause, that a willingness to fight (the administration wishing it) might be considered a good card to show to induce its support and get the confirmation of his rank, but we will soon hear about it. In our Division General, Kenly, we have no confidence. I believe in case of difficulty he would never support us with a single man. Is not this a fine state to be in as regards one’s opinion of his commanders? I have seen so much low political juggling since I have been in the army, so much leaning on this great man or that one that I feel no desire to be under their influence or to use any except to get out of the service which I trust I may soon be permitted to leave. We today had the gambler tossed again in a blanket and half his head shaved; he has come down to be quiet and reasonable now. It is said he won 6000 by gambling which he had a few days before, so much out of the mouths of wives and children at home. We have everyday rumors of guerillas and at this moment as I write a fire is seen some distance beyond us towards the Rappahannock which we fear may be a part of the RR. We will hear before morning. You don’t know how pleased I was to hear about the children and the cake. I have entirely forgotten who Cook Margaret is although I dare say I should recollect her. The patrol tonight brought in three prisoners whom we believe to be poor innocent country people. We heard also of three mounted men having been seen and a party of twenty men or more. Dorr returned today with your letter. You can hardly conceive that satisfaction a few lines from you give to me, there is a poetry about them which seizes upon me and makes my mind turn homewards to all its joys and about all to me beloved wife. Oh may the time soon come when we shall get back to each other not to part again. I can almost fancy that I see Julia and Harry at the ginger bread. I see the alliance continues. Aleck will have to side with the younger ones to restore the equilibrium. I fear Miss Jule will be the family pirate roving at will and depredating on us all. Good night beloved, God bless and preserve you, the darling’s, dear Uncle, and all at home and grant us a happy meeting soon never to part.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 2 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 at Cedar Run Bridge

Dear Wife,

I wrote to you yesterday evening. Last night we were informed shortly after midnight that a post at Kettle Run Bridge some five miles towards the Rappahannock had been surprised and captured. It proved to be so from later advices. The 20 men were guarding the bridge when they were approached about midnight by a band of rebels who moved quietly towards them. The sentry on the bridge tried to fire at them but his gun the first time did not explode the cap, the second time only exploded the cap so that he could give no warning. He then called for help. The rebels delivered a volley which awoke the men and caused them to get out the way in a hurry, some wading the creek, others gathering off in the darkness. Seven went to their camp When a new force arrived at the post it was found still in charge of the sergeant who had returned with seven other men who had got together and came back as soon as the rebels disappeared. After they got together the tents were well riddled with bullets. One man had a hole through his coat. The over coats lying on the ground were all carried off but the muskets were not. It is supposed that some more of the men will yet come in and that not more than three or four were carried off as prisoners. Today a man was arrested for gambling, he had a die in his pocket with a six on one side and fives on all the others. You would hardly suppose such transparent cheating could succeed but they say he has won a large sum of money and sent it away. He was punished by being tossed in fly (a tent covering) which is rather larger than any blanket. He was a big stout fellow about six feet high and the men seemed to enjoy it much. Some fourteen of them took it at a time and gave him a sling. Sometimes he would turn entirely over and the men who are like a set of children seemed quite tickled by it. I find that something ludicrous always has a good effect as a measure of punishment. Yesterday the cavalry patrol arrested some 6 or 7 persons living within two miles of the recent murder and they have all been on the point of going to Washington under guard but wives have been here today with their intercessions and they have prevailed. One a Mrs. Gibson Cutlet was a picture, the case of everyone was a real hardship. There was no virulence, but an expression of sympathy for the South; they had to choose between two sides, though all would like the old Unions. All had children, some very large families and aged parents and all expressed themselves openly against guerillas and murder. I think the diplomacy, the earnestness, that apprehension not to say the misery of feeling withal with much manifestation of womanly feeling and gentleness was a sight which was painfully interesting. She gained her cause and her husband and consequently not to let the little fish be kept when big ones were allowed to go all were allowed to go. They spoke of petitioning General Lee to do away with this system which only distressed them. I believe secession viragoism has about talked itself out and they now no longer assume that tone for it is only to their injury. One of our prisoners said he would hereafter come in and give notice when rebel scouts were about and Mrs. C spoke of Mosely and his men being worse than the worst marauders of either army. I got no letters from you today. The mail is rather irregular. We have nothing new from Meade. We read in the newspaper that part of the RR on the other side of the Rappahannock is taken up and that is about all we know. The day has passed clear and cold. We are all expectancy as regards the future thinking a move very probable, but know nothing. Good night dear wife. God bless and preserve you and lead us all to a happy reunion at an early day. Give love to Uncle and my beloved darlings.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Towards evening a Mr. and Mrs. Green from New York came into our lines. It seems they live at Falmouth and were now making an effort to get back. They left it last year and have had no chance as yet. A photographer too came who expects to bring his apparatus with him.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 1 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 at Cedar Run Bridge

Monday, 30th November 1863

Dear Wife,

I have your letter of 26^th inst which I was very glad to get. We hear that Meade is about 12 miles on the other side of the Rapidan and they have been fighting there for about 3 days but with what success is as yet uncertain. I suppose you probably get all news before I do. I have given you my conjecture in my last letter and think I am probably right. Today we had one of those huge instances which characterize the war of the rebels. A soldier of the 142^nd Reg of our brigade Col McCalmont named Deibert who was out from his camp which is near a Railroad bridge over Walnut Run about a mile from here chopping wood along with another with his gun nearby, was surprised and seized by three men who carried him off about 2 miles. A party was sent out after him who heard a shot and after marching across the country in open skirmish they came across the poor fellow’s dead body. Yet warm, stripped of his overcoat and pantaloons and robbed of some eight dollars in money. His musket broken at the stock was lying near by discharged and the wound through the poor fellow’s breast was that of a minnie ball, probably he was killed by his own rifle which they had taken from him, the tale comes from the man who was with him who came into camp as soon as he could. The cavalry have been out patrolling the neighborhood and some few have been brought in but I think they are mostly the country people who only harbor the marauders we are all pretty indignant today for a more devilish atrocious murder on an unoffending man was never committed. We trust that we will have good news tomorrow from Meade. The wind has been high and we have not heard anything to guide us as to results. We are now having some very cold weather. The coldest we have had for a long time. It seems I was pretty nearly right in my conjecture as to Richard Rush, the cavalry scouting service is a very hard and unpleasant one and when he left the army it was pretty much reduced to that it has since been more brilliant. My boot is now mended and comfortable. I believe your piece of leather have saved me at least $16 of actual outlay not to say anything of the comfort I experience. Your letter of 26^th don’t advise the receipt of either of the two notes I sent you in successive letters but I suppose your next will. I have a long letter from Tom which says nothing about our dissolution of partnership excepting to refer to writing to me about it. I am glad I have taken the step. I feel easier now that I have done so and think it was judicious to do so. I can well comprehend that when a man minds his wife he is apt to do right and very grateful am I for so sweet a mentor. I can make no application as yet for “a leave of absence” furlough is technical, is means leave given to an enlisted man. The first phrase is always used in speaking of officers. Tell me what is the genitive of nullus and the dative case also. I believe the army will soon leave this neighborhood and go either towards Fredericksburg to Richmond according to Meade’s success. Everyday seems to me to be in his favor and I trust our heavenly father will favor us and our arms, giving us moderation, temperance, and justice with success and steadiness, endurance and patient industry in adversity. Good night dear wife, may God in his infinite mercy preserve us to an early and lasting reunion. Love to chicks and uncle.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 30 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37

Transcript:

Camp at Cedar Run Bridge

November 29th, 1863 Sunday

Dear Wife,

Your letter of 24^th has come also the [leather?] and a long letter from Clem telling me of his movements with the battery which I was very glad to get. I put down in my letters pretty much all that happens but don’t know dear wife that I run any more risk than my duty demands. Today we had a deserter from the 3^rd Virginia Cavalry who came in from near Robertson’s river having been there five days on the route he said at first he feared he had come into a rebel camp but I think was undeceived and finally offered to take the oath of allegiance and join our ranks at once. He was named John Bronting from Halifax County Virginia and had been a volunteer for the war. He said he fell asleep on post and his companions told him he had been tried and a detail ordered to shoot him and he therefore came over. He said they were well fed, that they had fresh beef 4 times and salt meat twice a week and wheat flour 178 lb per day. From all I can learn it seems to me that the rebel army does not want in that respect, he said they wanted shoes but were fairly off for clothing. His regiment was about 200 strong in mounted men, the rest about the same number were dismounted. He was exceedingly dirty and a more wretched specimen of humanity in that respect I have never seen. He was set to work to cut wood for us for a while and showed himself strong and capable, it was something curious to see the expression of almost fear which he assumed when told to drop his hands and take the position of a soldier. These little things show to me a rigidity of discipline in the rebel army which does not pertain to our own. We hear today that Meade is 8 miles beyond Spotsylvania Court house on the way to Sextons Junction, of this is so. I think he must have driven Lee pretty hard. We hear that a large amount of rations was ordered to the white house on the [Pammunky?] which looks like a real “on to Richmond” but little firing has been heard today. May God in his mercy grant us success. Today the husband of the Jersey woman, Mrs. Kline, was returned from arrest and set free. Our scout also whom the Colonel sent forward to division Hd Qts is reported to have also absconded with a horse. These are pretty much the events of the day. The arrested men have all been sent to Alexandria. We have had an Englishman named King applying to get a pass for himself, daughter, and his goods and chattels to Alexandria. He has got a pass for himself and daughter but not for the other things. He it seems came out to this country with a sort of Communist Association bought 1070 acres of land. 70 were devoted to a park and he began to make several villages which he called Alphaville, Betaville, Gammaville, but got no farther in his alphabet. He said his mason and carpenter left him the first spring after their arrival when they found they could get [$1?] a day for their work and the young ladies (lacemakers) wouldn’t give their lace or the proceeds of it to the general stock but sold it in private. These difficulties and some intrinsic demerits in his system which was intended to remunerate the Capitalist the director and the laborer in different ways left him with no results except sinking as he says some $40000. He spoke of his making tile for drainage as a business and being successful in England. Here he professes to be still carrying on his occupation with success, but here everything is destroyed except some property near Washington upon which he builds castles in the air for future days. We hear that Meade went to Washington a short time since to ask permission to go into winter quarters but was ordered to go on. I do hope some great results will follow and that the rebellion may have received its death blow forever. It will be so if Lee receives a severe defeat which I hope and pray is the case. May I soon get back to you never again to part. The gloves are delightful; the book leather is all right as well as tooth brush. Thank you much beloved for your thoughtfulness of me. I do not hear from Tom as yet but suppose that will come in due time. Good night beloved wife. Heaven bless you and our darlings. Winny can’t be ugly, I am sure however pretty little Louis is. Give love to uncle and all at home.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 29 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37

Transcript:

Camp at Cedar Run Bridge

Nov. 29th [i.e. 28], 1863. Saturday

Dear Wife,

I did not write to you yesterday night because I thought we should have no chance of sending off the mail. All yesterday we heard the sound of firing very heavy, a little west of south and feel that Meade is near the Rapidan. The day before yesterday there was also a good deal and today we hear but little but are told from below that there was a good deal of fighting. Last night the rebel who came into our lines and who has been partially used as a court was sent over to us to see what use we could make of him. A court of 23 men under a Captain Allen of the 1^st RI cavalry was sent out and they this morning came in with eight prisoners they had a ninth but he got off. Four of the men were in bed together and they had a saber under the head of the bed as well as two suits of our uniform clothing. They go down to Alexandria today under guard. Major Farrington tells us that the affair above as the other day which I mentioned as a skirmish was most ridiculous. He says a party of about 50 of our men went out to a place called Brentsville and there some of them suddenly saw twelve men draw up in line of battle opposite to them not knowing whether they were friends or enemies they waved there hats to them to come over. They did the same and then for some unknown reason turned and fled. They were pursued and one captured who was asserted to be clothed in some part of the dress of a soldier recently killed. We hear that in the last nights expedition that the women behaved like tigresses and one went so far as to strike one of our men over the head with a broomstick. We now permit no one to enter our lines and have sufficient defenses around us to protect us against any inroad of cavalry or soldier attack of any kind. Yesterday we had a visit from a Mrs. Kline from what is called the Jersey Settlement about 4 miles NW of us. Her husband it seems has been arrested by our men and sent in and she came to beg him off. She was a northern woman from Warren County New Jersey and spoke very feelingly of her troubles but seemed to think she was in such a position that neither party befriended her, which I have no doubt is pretty true because she sides to suit the times and has calculated badly. Today it has rained and the ground is well soaked and muddy. A great battle is certainly going on and I trust God will grant us success and victory. G Grant and Meade should both succeed I think we might feel sure of an early result and hope with much reason for peace to soon come. Oh that it may be so. Good bye dear wife, may heaven’s best blessings surround you and my darlings and preserve us to [meet?] soon again never to part. Give love to uncle, our mail does not now reach us regularly and I yet have some days of anticipation to look forward to before I hear from you again.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 28 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37

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 Cedar Run Bridge

Thanksgiving Day

Dear Wife,

Today has passed away very quietly, the day has been very fine, the cavalry scount sent out yesterday returned without results. We have heard firing to the south from about 9 o’clock until nearly three. The RR appears to be taking back surplus stores. Chaplain Green of the 1^st Rhode Island cavalry came over to ask if we would have service and offered to officiate. We gathered the regiment together, sung a hymn and had from him an appropriate prayer and sermon, after which we had our supper to which he remained. His mother was a niece of Gen Greene’s and he is consequently a near connection of Mr. Greene. He seemed pleased as well as surprised to find we knew so much about him and his connections. This reminds me to ask you about Mrs. M G. Can you send her anything if you think you can you may do anything you like. We today received a telegram announcing success at Chattanooga. It would be another great mercy if this was to be another coincidence and Meade also be successful on Thanksgiving Day. We expect shortly to move in some direction or other, perhaps the RR will be taken up and some move made towards the white house on the [Pammunky?] in Richmond. Hall’s leave of 15 days came today and he is to try to go tomorrow to recruit his failing health. It seems as if we were on the eve of some important military movements. May it please God that we shall be successful. I have asked Hall to call and see you if he stops in Philadelphia and shall send this letter on by him. I live in the hope that our heavenly father will so order things as to leave me soon at liberty and that we may have returning peace over all the land. Did I tell you that I met the other day Major Wm M Biddle of Carlisle of the 4^th Cavalry. A cousin of Molly’s and a distant one of our own, his squadron of men is now attached with the 1^st RI to this command. I trust all things will be so ordered that I shall soon have time to myself to send in my resignation and to close up. My work I believe if it would only be accepted that I could soon settle all matters pertaining to it. God grant us an early return to each other and may we be safe under his merciful care whilst apart from each other. We have all sorts of rumors of rebel cavalry pickets being seen in our neighborhood and all the accompaniments. Good night beloved, may God bless, keep, and preserve you and all of us. Give love to uncle and all at home. I believe mails are not regular now.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 26 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37

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:

B 53.334

Camp at Cedar Run Bridge 53.338

Dear Wife,

I sent by the morning’s mail another note for $100, being the second I have sent you in all $200. Let me know if it all reaches you in safety. Today has passed by pretty much as usual. We were not disturbed last night and have heard of nothing along the line. We hear that the artillery of the reserve have harnessed at Rappahannock Station this morning and therefore presume they cannot have advanced much. I do not think any of our troops are much beyond the Rapidan yet. We hear of some 400 cattle being taken by our cavalry from some guerillas but nothing more. We have been adding to our chimneys and houses and I believe would soon have a little village erected if we knew we were to stay here. Today I took out the whole regiment to discharge their pieces which had been loaded for a week or more… We covered a stump distant about 130 yds with an old coat and fired at it, the firing was very good most of the shots striking very fairly or going into the creek beyond. I think the men were much pleased as they all could see the effect of the firing on the water; this occupied us nearly two hours of the day. In other respects everything has passed as usual, the cars running up and down the road with their guards. I sometimes write these nominal statements because I count you to keep my letters to be hereafter a sort of record of the campaign and I therefore sometimes jot down details which to you must be uninteresting. I got your letter of [21st?] inst. I know both you and uncle must have much pleasure in the hospital. Poor felloes they deserve all the attention should to them, especially those who suffer from wounds of injuries of actual service. The number of feigned ailments is great and a soldier in the field who is always looking with suspicion upon a man who merely complains has less sympathy sometimes than we perhaps ought to have. To night a cavalry scout of some 200 men is going out to see if there is any worth in the tales we have heard of assemblies of guerillas in our neighborhood which we do not expect to return until tomorrow morning. Some 400 cavalry from dismounted [Camp] have come into the woods opposite to us. These are coming  and passing by us every day. Good night dear wife may God grant us his merciful protection and soon restore us to each other. Love to the darlings and dear uncle.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,25 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37

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 Cedar Run Bridge

November 24th, 1863 Tuesday

Dear Wife,

This morning we had rain which soaked the ground pretty thoroughly. I went round the outposts found the cavalry had made a cordon of brush wood around them. Everything during the night had passed in quiet without disturbance. Today we brought our force rather more together and built some protection in the way of breast work and designed others for future construction. I sent you in my last letter a good note for $100. B53.334 Let me know if you get it. I have not at present any more sure way of sending it to you. We have had a very fine day but very wet under foot. We all very much surprised indeed astonished at the conduct of Gen Kenly when he was at Warrenton Junction he had about 1400 men to guard him whilst we at the post had about 155 muskets. Now there is nothing at Warrenton Junction whatever beyond a RR sideling and whatever may happen to be left upon it and a water tank with a road leading towards Warrenton. Now at Catlett’s Station there is a light wooden bridge about 10 yds long and 60 feet high over a ravine spanning Cedar Run, and there is the station. A corral in which at one time there was 1300 cattle, some workmen’s tents. The army medical purveyor was here with all the medicines for the army of the Potomac, and the point is a central one to which three roads from the west converge and the roads from Dumfries and Stafford Court house both came in now that Kenly has gone away he leaves 300 men to guard Warrenton Junction gives the Colonel 1/3 of his whole route to guard with about 800 men. Sends Wister above him with 1400 and keeps 1600 to guard himself and three miles near him. We think he cares for nothing but his own personal safety and thinks nothing of the protection to the road being the first and only object of his having any command at all. In short we are most thoroughly disgusted with him whatever of patriotism he may have possessed I can see nothing now for a most base selfishness in his actions. We rely solely on ourselves in any emergency if anything goes wrong we may be handed over the [coals] but we don’t expect in any case to get any assistance from Gen Kenly. I do not think however that we shall need it but now that the army has moved pretty far off, if these marauders expect to do anything it is natural to suppose they would expect to act on some weak part of the line. We have that the army intended to cross the Rapidan at Germania ford, our two divisions the 1^st, 2^nd of our Corps have moved further on and soon expect to hear of something which will cause our troop to move also. I have nothing more to say about self in the army. I don’t known how to tell you how glad I shall be for any exemptions from this sort of life, may it please God soon to end this strife and permit us to return in peace to our homes. I have heard the view expressed that peace would be arranged soon after the meeting of Congress but I cannot say that I perceived how that is to be unless by the yielding of the South. Should it please God to grant success to our present operations it may come about and may it be his gracious will that it is to be so. Give love to my darling little ones, dear uncle, and brother Clem. I send you herein a note B 53338 $100. Tell me if you get it.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 24 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37