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:

Entrenchments at Centerville

Friday Oct 16, 1863

Dear Wife,

Yesterday we left this place in the afternoon and marched towards Chantilly about 3 miles. We halted in the edge of a wood the 6th Corps on our right- after a while we were sent out about a mile south to picket – We lost the road, got right at last- and staid all night-without lights or fires in an open field commanding the country- This morning at break of dawn on a cloudy day we returned to this point and are now posted in support of battalion the 5th NYk 20 lb Parrots are in front of us nearby are two 32º and a number of 10 lbs parrots. Our whole brigade and division is at this point.  We have heard not little firing It has rained hard twice to day and the second rain  about 8 o clock at night is just over. it was very hard and blew straight through our tent and were it not for the excellent little gum coat  Uncle sent I should have been very uncomfortable—but thanks to him I have been perfectly protected__We will have more rain which is worse for Lee than it is for us__Yesterday we heard fighting more or less all day. Supposed to be Cavalry skirmishing- this is pretty much all I can tell in my restricted position sitting on the wet ground on an india rubber writing under a fly open at both ends__but am comfortable for the field__

Good night dear wife, God bless and preserve you and the dear ones and grant us an early return in peace to each other. Love to Uncle- May the heavenly father ever keep us all under his saving protection. Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 16 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Thursday 15 Oct 1863

Dear Wife,

I sent you this morning a few lines from Centerville—Since then we have moved north towards Chantilly—there has been firing all day long towards Blackburn ford and and the stone bridge over Bull Run but I think without any benefit to the Rebs. Yesterday the Rebs lost 8 pieces of artillery- We are now out on picket to guard the road on the north side of Centerville. Nothing has been heard or seen on our front. I think they are only trying our strength and have found us in greater strength than they imagined as they did yesterday.I hope energetic efforts will soon give us all the strength we want for the great purpose for which we came out—How strange it will be if the first and last scene of the war should be so near Bull Run. May God grant us success and grant us his favour in our undertaking, let us seek his power to aid us for vain are human efforts unless he wills their success. Good by, love to all- the children and Uncle.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 15 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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:

Kelly’s ford, Monday October 12, 1863

Dear Wife,

On Friday night it was found that the Rebs were not at the ford we were to cross- So we retraced our steps and halted between Culpeper & Stevensburg. There we remained during the night and yesterday, Saturday, the whole 105 Corps arrived with a large wagon train towards Kelly’s ford. We heard firing in our rear as we moved back but reached the ford. Saw large train pass- saw the troops pass and take up a position and then we were assigned our position near the bank in rifle pits. No signs of Rebs this morning, we hear that Buford had a sharp fight yesterday with his Cavalry and retreated in Rappahannock station. We hear also that the Rebs are in some force at Sperryville some 20 or 60 miles to the west and north. I have not time, dear wife, to write more. I trust to the heavenly father to shield me in case of any action. Unless there should be an attack which I hardly think would be a wise one for the Rebels do not at present see any great probability of battle. God bless and preserve you all. Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 12 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 or rather Bivouac near Morton’s ford

Saturday Oct 10, 1863

Dear Wife,

Last night at ½ past one our Division was under arms to March to this point with the intention of supporting the Cavalry by forcing our way across the Rapidan at Morton’s ford. The Cavalry under Buford were to cross some ten or fifteen miles lower down at Germania Ford and attack the flank of the Rebs—On the march the Division got lost, so did the 2nd Division which with the first were to precede us in crossing the river- We have been here and supplied very comfortably. Good bye dear wife. May God bless and preserve you all and continue his mercy in guiding you and our little ones and granting me an early and safe return in peace to you all.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 9th Oct 1863 Camp near Pary WV

Dear Wife,

I today got a package of envelopes which came by mail. I suppose from you, but no letter. I know that mails are often late and irregular but fear you may not be well. May God avert all evil from you and ours and still extend his loving mercy to us. Today we had Division drill – Nine regiments under arms but the field was not large enough and it was not as good as our old brigade drills. It passed off however very well and we got things to nicely enough. Tonight we have orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at short notice with five days rations. We think something may be going on in the Gulley West of the Blue Ridge and some movement in that direction may be advanced. We have sometimes rumor of peace of a willingness not to push the war to a crushing point and receive such ideas as straws which may indicate the [Set?] of the Current. I hope peace may soon be brought about and that our harmonious union may never again be disturbed. I keep in my own mind constantly turning to you. I fear you may be unwell- May our merciful father protect and guard you and keep you safe from harm. I am all packed up—nothing left to do but to roll up my blankets and saddle. Even a loaf of bread and provisions in my haversack. This morning I took a walk about a mile from our Camp and came to a deserted house—from the second story I could see Clark’s Mt. on the other side of the river and a long line of earth works across the slope of the Mt.–distant about three miles. The country is thickly wooded and the land is pretty poor. Most of the houses which I have seen are deserted. Many torn to pieces. Virginia indeed is desolate- from here to the Potomac it is a barren waste, whatever it may have been when the labor of man was permitted to work it in peace—I had supposed we should wait here until the elections were over but now suppose we are either making a move to have some action thereon or to frustrate something which Lee is doing with the same end in view. I hope there is patriotism enough in the North to overcome all opposition of every kind. We heard a few days ago of a Movement of troops at the Valley West of the Blue Ridge—Good night dear Wife, May Heaven ever bless and surround you with the greatest blessings—Give love to Uncle, Sister Mollie and her little ones, Emily & hers,Julia and all at home. Kiss dear Aleck, Harry, Julia, Winny and Louis, my beloved Wife,

Your loving husband,
Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 9 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 Qts 121st Reg

Thursday Oct. 8 1863

Dear Wife,

I have not had any letters from you now for four days. I pray God that your silence may not be occasioned by any trouble in our little family but that the Care which has always overshadowed us may still be continued to us and all our little ones. …We are yet in the same place , no change has taken place in our relations in any way. The Rebel army is strongly entrenched on the other side of the Rapidans Gap. Early’s Corps is on their right and his Head Qts are said to be at a house distantly visible from a hill in our lines. The Rebels occasionally fire at any close investigator of their lines and sometimes at officers on the picket line but there is generally quiet on the picket line. We are in a pretty little camp- the rest of the Division has moved near us and we are about ¼ of a mile apart surrounding the batteries of the Corps. After next Tuesday I think we will make a move back or advance- of course no one knows which, but I trust the blessing of Heaven may rest upon us to govern our hearts and minds and lead us to (push?) and to (not?) according to the precepts of the Holy Word. Dear Wife, tell me all about yourself and all near and dear to you and about Uncle. There is a move now making to form “Veteran volunteers” and today I took advantage of a general order on the subject to file an application for the Consolidation of this Regiment should it be successful. I do not think any aspirement for Military honors will find the Lieut. Col. interposing any great obstacle to advancement– but that is building a castle in the air—Strange is it not that the getting back to my own beloved wife and family should have such an effect upon– how marvellous that such a thing should be brought about with one who has been brought up as I have been. I still think, believe and act as I did when I first entered upon this business, but I do trust and hope it may please God to bring it to an early happy termination. I have not been far away from camp to day some papers, battalion drills and [illeg.] occupied me all the day long. I was obliged to reduce a misbehaving sergeant to the ranks and otherwise punish him. I believe he and the Regiment feel all the better for it. There has been some indications of chill and fever among the men. We have frequently accosted to as a justly lacks and I believe with benefit.

We are now getting along very well a regards our fare, we get fresh bread and today had rice and potatoes both. There are times when we laugh over our meals and wonder what those at home would say if they could see the avidity with which a raw onion is devoured. We always ask for honey at every new house we come to—and not infrequently get it although it is often and almost always asserted as not in possession. Yet they give it when we are willing to pay for it, the people are certainly tired of the war but the near neighborhood of a large Rebel force keeps them in a sort of fearful alliance with them. They dare not declare for Union until the Rebel armed power is expelled from Virginia. Good bye my loved one, may God bless and keep you and the our little ones in peace, health and happiness and grant me an early and safe return in peace to you all. Love to Uncle.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 8 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 SW of [Perry?] Mt

Sunday Oct 4th 1863

Dear Wife,

I today rec’d your letter of Oct 1 which as usual is the greatest pleasure which I enjoy—Yesterday passed pretty much as usual, the day was fine and the ground was getting drier but wet at nightfall. I got orders to move my regiment to support the Artillery. I went immediately to Div. Hd Qts and got all the instructions they could give, which was nothing more than that it was somewhere near Corps Hd Qts. Whilst the men were getting ready I packed up and got a little supplies then moved off in the direction we were to go. The night was dark, the ploughed field a series of ditches and mud hills but we succeeded in moving straight to our destination without any difficulty. Then I found the Artillery officers knew nothing about it, so I rode over to Corps HdQts and saw the Col. in command of the Artillery, who knew nothing of it—but got finally clear orders to stay where we were. It seems that an Artillery bugle had been taken by some enterprising guerrilla within ¾ mile of the camps but had escaped from his captors and to guard against any sudden raid our regiment had been sent up- more for the sake of the moral of if its muskets than because any attach was apprehended. We are about two miles from [Perry?] Mt and a body of guerrillas who might make a sudden assault upon Artillery would hesitate before they did so upon infantry. We stacked arms- the men went to sleep behind them. We sent out five posts of four men each some 200 yds in the unprotected direction and they sent from each post one of their men another 100 yds to the front. All these were changed every four hours. The Adjutant and I went to sleep under a fly, the second covering of a wall tent before a fire and except waking once or twice and looking out to see that all was right the night passed quietly. The morning came bright and clear. I made an inspection of the neighborhood and pitched upon two spots where I thought the guards ought to be posted and wrote my impressions to the Colonel- instead of being relieved I found (as I expected) the whole brigade –our two little regiments- assigned to guard the batteries- which were posted between them and the unprotected side when the other Regiment came up. We are now altogether again and upon the crest of low hills which are above fog’s miasma and I think much the best camp sites we have had since we left Middleburg. We have clean ground, good water, a good drainage and everything in order. We send out 60 men to the front as an advanced guard every night but we are comparatively comfortable. The bugler of whom I spoke lost his horse the men who caught him had met and had a fight with an equal number of Reb soldiers who were out without arms marauding- each party lost a man but the guerrillas escaped- the same party afterwards caught the bugler and another and took a mule from one and a horse from the other. They escaped and the horse and mule were both recaptured by another party. I am glad to hear your account of the soldier from Maine. There are many such in the army- never was an army composed of better material and the best educated for the duties are often lowest down. A heart entirely given to the cause with modesty in learning does more than anything else when in the field if health and strength are added to it. I must say I feel very differently now from what I felt when I came out- partially because I have such a poor command and perceive no reason why I should be returned with such a small command and partially because I think I have other more important duties in my own domestic circle. If I had a full Regiment I might be conceited enough to think that it was important for me to attend to them but when I really have no proper commands I do not wish to be made a useless fool of—doing no good which can not as well be done by another whilst I have other greater duties at home. Today there was some firing toward Mitchell’s station- The Rebels fired some shells at some wagon of the Second Corps which were gathering forage within range of their guns- nothing more. The drums are about to beat the tattoo which infantry and artillery bugles have been sounding. Remember me to Tom and all his family when you see him or them again. May it please God to bless us with an early termination of war and give peace and prosperity with perfect ? to our whole Country—I fear much that our troubles may last some time yet to come but still hope the power which rules us all and our destinies may have a long continuance of mercy and blessings for us all. Good night dear Wife. Love to Uncle and all our darlings—

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 4 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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)

October 2 was a Friday, not a Thursday, so Biddle got either the day or the date wrong

Transcript:

can you send me a bunch of envelopes by post?

Camp near Raccoon Ford

Oct 2d 1863, Thursday

Dear Wife,

I yesterday wrote to dear Uncle thanking him for the [Siphonia?] he has so kindly lent me- It is admirably adapted to the field. Today Kenly was reinstated in his command and we left Div Head Qts to return to the Brigade. It has been raining hard all the day and the shifting of the tents and unpitching them has all been done in the rain– the ground in some places being pretty well flooded. It is now eight O’clock at night and we have got things again partially to rights and are not uncomfortable. Today there was an execution in the Second division of our Corps within sight of our Hd Qts. The troops passed us going to and coming back from it and for a moment I saw the long lines of the three sides of the Square and guessed their import but no more- although I could see the curious army attendants moving towards it. I now may tell you about our unfortunate Div Commander Kenly- drink is his failing and he knows and his commander knows and we all know that he has this abominable vice—he has talents and fine qualities and I believe under promises of abstinence another chance is before him.- for this he may thank Chapman to whom he is certainly very much indebted for the delicacy of his behavior under the peculiar relations of their mutual position. We found him at his own Hd Qts scarcely a free agent. Indeed there were others near by on his staff who were mere watch dogs to catch him should he make a misstep, and who have got into relations with him which they feel will either break him or them. I hope for his sake he will be able to sustain himself. Is it not strange that a Colonel of the Reg. should succeed firstly to Brigade and secondly to Div Command by reason of the removal of both officers for the same charge. Our Corps Commander too is not invulnerable and he knows it, although he is much of a soldier and a West Pointer. Drink—whiskey is the bane of the army and I think I would now name at least eight or ten young men who will never be able to master the taste they have acquired for it. I give you a pretty picture of army life, Do I not? There is however Providence above which rules our destinies even when we are our greatest enemies ourselves. I hope that it will never be a vice at our Head Qts where its influence has not yet been felt. The heavy rain of today must have pretty well filled the Rapidan and put an end temporarily to the idea of attempting a crossing. So we shall remain quiet for a few days yet to come. I do not think that either Don or Etting are likely to be returned to the Regiment certainly during this year the idea of our getting any drafted men has passed away. I don’t know why- but the men don’t seem to come from the drafts—Our little Regiment looks very very small—a mere hundred of men. I should not be surprised if after a while some position nearer Washington should be taken up—after the elections are over. Tell me if you ever hear anything of the Hankeys from anyone. Write to me about Mollie and her little ones whenever you hear anything of them. Good night dear Wife. May God bless and preserve us all to meet again in happiness and health at an early day never more to past. Love to Uncle and our darlings

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 2? October 1863. Rush IV:30:36

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 Raccoon Ford

September 30^th 1863

Dear Wife

Today I had two letters from you of the 26^th & 28^th which I was exceedingly glad to get I gather from them that Aleck is again getting well – May our heavenly father grant that we all may meet again in perfect health and safety – We have been conjecturing what we are about to do down here and as usual we have come to the same opinion, that is that we cannot advance and will have to go back. We have been lately weakened by the withdrawal of the 11^th & 12^th Corps which we think have gone West to Rosecrans this redirection of our force will hardly leave us strength enough to attack the Rebs opposed to us who are presumed by us to be 7000 strong – We cannot now have more than 5000 fighting men and although there maybe great chance of success if we are in position and on the defensive We certainly cannot advance. I believe that the Rebs at this moment are humbugged into the idea that Meade’s Army is stronger than ever – if we remain here and they find out the truth we may have a hard time of it…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 30 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35

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):

At Head Qrs Div 1^st AC

Camp near Raccoon ford at Crossroads to Culpeper

In eight of Clark’s M Cedar Run M – Mitchell’s

September 29, 1863 Tuesday

Dear Wife

I have just gotten through a long piece of writing in relation to Ordinance papers – a sort of taking the bull by the horns, it had to be done some time and now is one of the stated periods when Settlements are required This morning at a little after midnight We got orders to move at 6 O’Clock AM but as the Col had a conversation with Genl Newton in the evening and understood him to decide not to move he supposed it to be a mistake So the hour came and past and no move was made until an aid arrived who informed us the Genl had expected to find us on the new ground selected. We finally got off and marched about three miles through the woods and came to out new place of rest. We are on the road to Culpeper about three miles to Raccoon ford and in sight of the high hills on the other side of the river One of which Clark’s [illeg.] is a Rebel Signal Station where through the telescope a few of their signal corps can be seen lounging about…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 29 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35