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 Culpeper

Saturday Sept 19^th 1863

Dear Wife

Another day is added to the pain of absence but I trust under the mercy which has guarded me hitherto that it but brings me the nearer to an early return to you Last night it rained again and to day We have rather cold weather – We had instruction in Tactics in the morning and Battalion drill – Parade & exercise in the manual for two hours in the afternoon – the ground being rather difficult to march over – We are in a pretty country and I believe occupy somewhere about the Centre of the Army – there are other troops to the right and left and I believe also to our front – from the papers the rebels seem to know out movements with a good deal of precision still but I am not surprised at it when we pass houses where we see men & women of all ages living undisturbed who would be easily able to calculate what passes under their eyes and compare notes with others similarly situated. We took a little walk in the evening to the banks of Mountain Run about 200 yds in our front and saw a muddy stream with about 3 feet of width and a good deal of drift wood floating in it – We forded it the other day less than knee deep – The bands and bugles are now all beating the tattoo and soon all ought to be quiet…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 19 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):

Head Qrs 121^st Reg PV. Sept 18, 1863

Dear Wife

We are still about 1 ¼ miles from Culpeper in the fields, last night We had a heavy rain and two severe rain storms to day which were pretty uncomfortable but the day came out fine after all and we had battalion drill and parade in the evening – From appearances it would seem that we are likely to remain here for some short time – We hear no news of military movements to day – but hope we may have success if any should take place – it is pretty dreary – but the country is beautiful – before us is Pony Mountain and our Signal Corps is busy with flags by day and lights by night on its summit – A Creek Called Mountain Stream runs in front of us and is the limit of our Camping ground – I shall be very glad to hear of something definitive about our movements – It almost seems as if both sides felt too weak to take the initiative – We do not occupy anything of a position either of attack or defense We are endeavoring to get our ordinance accounts arranged for the ordinance office at the close of the month which will be somewhat perplexing and may cause a good deal of confusion…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 18 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:

Thursday 17^th September 1863

In Camp 1 ¼ miles from Culpeper Virg

Dear Wife

Yesterday we crossed the Rappahannock and came down to this point passing Brandy station on the route – firing was heard during the day we encamped in line of battle – saw signaling on top of a hut in front of us (Our own Signal Corps) We slept on the ground under our fly and this morning are remaining in same position waiting orders – I am writing on my knee in the field to send you these few lines which must go in about 20’- It seems as if we should stay here for the day – May God bless and preserve you all dear wife and enable us always to govern ourselves by the simple desire to do everything according to his will trusting to his merciful protection for life health & happiness Your loving husband

Alexander

I have some other business papers to write which I hope to close in time for the mail

Give love and kisses to all out darlings and love to dear Uncle – My feeling of dependence on his kindness has given me much of such fortitude which I posess – May we in God’s mercy long enjoy it together –

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 17 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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg. PV.

Camp at Rappahannock Station

Sept 15^th 1863 Tuesday

Dear Julia

I have been pretty busy all day long getting accounts ready and distributing accoutrements &c to the different companies this evening we have been sitting under our bower talking and the band from one of the Maryland Regiments has been playing in front of our Head Qrs – A Cavalry Captain with nine wagons of horse Artillery ammunition is just passing over the bridge of the run by our Camp towards the pontoon bridge which he is to pass on his way to Culpeper whither he is bound – he had lost his way in the Camps – a little too much spirit in him but not enough to do harm We all think we are about to move but we don’t know exactly whether – therefore we surmise and speculate – We are to have another inspection tomorrow to see if everything is ready for a march and we try to keep ourselves ready to move at short notice – that is at about 20’ warning – We have just had tattoo beaten in all the Camps nearby I suppose we shall have stirring times before long. I had hoped it was nearly over but that is asking almost too much of good fortune – Does Aleck hear any thing more of his friend Ned has he any reading exercises now I think I should be much better employed were I at home teaching him than I am here. I have no doubt but that neither Dorr nor Etting will return to us during this year and as to Conscripts I don’t expect to see them in this Regiment – If either D, or E should Call on you tell them I wish them a happy Christmas at home and think they will get it I suppose you are in the midst of grapes and pears – I have very little of the feeling I had last year for good things at home – indeed we have to be pretty careful about diet and every few days a quinine pill as a preventative is applied for oftentimes with good effect…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 15 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):

Camp at Rappahannock Sta

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Sept 14. 1863 Monday

Dear Wife

Today we were to have a review and parade of the Division at ½ past 9.- At that hour We met on the review ground about ¾ of a mile distant and formed in line of battle received the Division General with the usual Salutes & music presented Arms and marched by him in Review going through all the forms of regulations – We were then inspected – muskets cartridges knapsacks carefully examined after which we were dismissed being the first brigade we were dismissed first and returned to Camp – very well satisfied – to day We had notice from head Qrs that the Cavalry had taken some 3 pieces of Artillery and were beyond Culpeper – which the Infantry have passed through–The Cars – that is a train of 12 took up the wounded to day – this is the most distressing sight I have seen – a rather sinister sight – the train of Cars for wounded men – the ambulance train filled – the stretcher bearers coming on to a battle fields give me an impression which is more poignant more sharply painful that every other sight I know of – unless it is the scenes near a hospital on a day of battle – To day we heard indirectly that Genl Meade intended to give Genl Reynolds and his Command a special notice in his Report – let us see if it turns out so I do think it was Reynolds gallantry and judgement which was the turning point of the whole affair – We hear that Col Morrow of the 25^th Michigan who was taken prisoner reports that a brother of Gen Hill’s said to him he never saw such “heroism” and such fighting as the first day – the numbers on our side were comparatively small but there was no such thing as hesitation or want of alacrity – this was all from Reynolds – We had unbounded confidence in him and his industry – We hear of no battle today but believe our troops are all beyond Culpeper…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 14 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):

Camp at Rappahannock Sta

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Sept 13. 1863

Dear Wife

I to day rec’d your letter of inst with statement of papers in valise, I don’t like to bother you but did you look in the pocket book part of the valise I think there are a number there – Please see what are there and give a sketch of them if at all different from those you mention Could To day we have been under orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments notice – the 2^d Corps with the Cavalry has crossed the river and firing has been heard at a distance during the day – We hear the 2^d Corps is in Culpeper and the Cavalry beyond – to night it is raining and last night it rained pretty hard – We think that all the better for us if it does not Continue too long I had hoped that the other armies would have met with such success that there would be little hope left for the Southern side and I am inclined to think it will still have a great effect upon us. – I am very sorry to hear of dear little Winny being so peaky – he was such a sweet hardy looking child and had such an expression of dear Mother in him that I turn to his dear little face often times. Oh if I could only get back to you – I do not think the Colonel getting his resignation through will so me any harm it will rather I think help me for the same influence I guess I can have to operate for me – I knew he had a means of action which I had not outside of the Army and were he out and I in anxious to get out I think I should have the benefit of it in a quiet way…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 13 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):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp at Rappahannock St

September 12^th 1863

Dear Wife

I have been a little under the weather for a day or two past but am quite well again now – nothing more than one of those occasional fits which occur to us all – I fear owing to a little imprudence in diet – To day we had a very much needed rain which has settled the dust and cooled the air we have seen the 2^nd Corps (I believe) passing down with Cavalry Artillery Infantry all the day they are now in a thick wood about ¼ of a mile distant – whether this portends a movement onward I of course do not know but it may precede a movement to prevent the rebels from withdrawing forces to act against Rosecrans & Burnside – I hope all may be done under the sanction of divine will and guided by the all powerful hand to good results and with little bloodshed – We are all somewhat exercised over Ordinance returns A late regulation requires all officers to close their Ordinance transactions before they can resign from the army and the Colonel and myself are busy in trying to put all transactions in such form as will settle with them – The regulations in Washington are most unjust and inapplicable to the exigencies of service in the field – and I fear that many meritorious officers will suffer much from the fact that the Departments in Washington have never taken care to apprize them of the requirements of their agents. From the news from Charleston and Chattanooga I have hoped that the time for peace would soon come that the fire of the southern heart had sunk to ashes – and have been picturing to myself the hope of turning soon but we know nothing of the future – all is in his hands who rules the destinies of men – We must strive for the best and trust to him…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 12 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):

Camp at Rappahannock Sta

September 10^th 1863 Thursday

Dear Wife – Today I got a letter from Tom in which he seems well satisfied with the arrangement as it stands We are pretty busy now in various ways trying to settle up accounts with the different Gov offices which bear very heavily upon us – we constantly [hear?] that the Washington arrangements do not seem to have ever contemplated a state of war – and the changes and difficulties arising from then are almost insurmount-able – Today I rode the picket line with the Colonel – saw the Cavalry outposts of both sides on the right and on the extreme left saw a steer walking round a larger field about 300 Yds distant and some half dozen of the other side apparently trying to lead it off before it came too near to our lines – fortunately for their tomorrows or next days dinner – the field was well fenced so that the steer by walking round the edge went back into their lines and the half dozen rebs disappeared – we also saw them gathering hay within their lines – We returned to Camp and found a copy of a telegram that the whole of Morris island was in Gilmore’s possession – which was very gratifying news to me as it looks I hope nearer to some settlement of domestic troubles You can’t conceive how stupidly life passes here – I believe I am through with all my affairs with the Corps Commander but hear nothing of my last paper I guess however that it is all right I fear another of our officers will go home sick – he was hurt some time since and is now unwell three officers however are Coming back to the regiment which will give us more in numbers than we have had since Don & Etting left us.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35