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October 8, 1863: Alexander Biddle to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

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

October 7, 1863: Salmon P. Chase to Cyrus Field

Cyrus Field was the founder of the Atlantic Telegraph Company, which laid the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable; a project which gave him close ties with British politicians and businessmen.

Transcript:

Oct 7, 1863

My dear Mr. Field,

I am glad that you are doing your part towards making the stay of the naval officers of the Good Queen in our Metropolitan harbor agreeable to them. My faith is strong that the English Government will yet see that the interests of Mankind demand that there should be no alienation of the two right branches of the Anglo Saxon family from each other; and will do their part towards erasing all causes of alienation by full separation inflicted on American commerce by unneutral acts of British subjects known to be not prevented by the responsible authorities.

That’s a long sentence but I believe it conveys my meaning. I am sorry I cannot accept the kind invitation of yourself and Mrs Field (to whom please make my best regards acceptable) to meet these gallant officers.

Yours very truly

SP Chase

Citation: Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873), autograph letter signed to Cyrus W. Field. Washington, D. C.; 7 October 1863. AMs 527/8.2

October 6, 1863: William T. Sherman to James B. McPherson

At he end of this military letter, Sherman writes about the death of his nine-year-old son Willie from typhoid on October 3. Willie and the rest of Sherman’s family had been visiting him in Vicksburg and traveled with him to Memphis on the steamboat Atlantic, after which they planned to continue home. Willie took sick on the boat and died shortly after reaching Memphis.

Transcript [excerpt—p4 to end]

I will go out to Corinth in a couple of days and would much like to hear from Genl. Grant in the mean time. It would be to me a great service of satisfaction to know he was to be at Nashville.

I cannot bear to write you of the death of my boy. He must have been ill the night he staid at your House. but he had been so uniformly well that we little heard from him till he had been on board the Atlantic two days and then Medicine availed nothing. Though I mourn his death as you can understand I think of him with pain and grace commingled. I regard you as more than an ordinary man & sincere friend.

W. T. Sherman

Citation: William T. Sherman (1820-1891), autograph letter signed to James B. McPherson. Memphis, 6 October 1863. AMs 360/16

October 5, 1863: New York Tribune

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Upper Half

Army of the Cumberland, Saturday, Oct. 3, 1863

The present and future prospect of success for this army is not only brightening but at this time is really good. If the enemy now makes an attack, even in very heavy force, he will in all probability be badly defeated. Each day’s delay but makes out commanders more confident of holding their position. There is no cause for alarm in the matter of flank movements.

The flag of truce sent out by Gen. Rosecrans was recognized. Our ambulances were driven to the enemy’s lines, there our drivers got off, when those appointed by the enemy took the ambulances within their lines. In a short time the ambulances returned with some portion of their wounded. They, as a generality, are very seriously injured.

The whole of Chattanooga is now a hospital, hardly a house but contains they unfortunate.

The enemy still continues in sight. Skirmishing is kept up. The enemy, each time he presses a little too hard, gets much the worst of it.

Citation: New York Semi-weekly Tribune. 5 October 1863. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab.

October 4, 1863: Alexander Biddle to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

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

October 3, 1863: Henry Warner to his Father

Henry Warner was the youngest son of Henry and Mary Warner, the great-grandparents of the poet Marianne Moore. Henry served in the Pennsylvania Independent Artillery, Battery G from August 1862 until June 1865. In this letter he has just heard of the death of his sister-in-law Jennie Craig Warner, who died of typhoid. These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Transcript:

Fort Delaware Oct. 3/63

Dear Father

Your letter of the 1^st I received about an hour since—Can I describe my feelings! I was scarcely ever more shocked than I was this morning—Rev Mr Coleman from Birmingham arrived here this morning and after passing compliments mentioned in a casual manner than he had seen my mother in Harrisburgh—My mother! I exclaimed surely you must be mistaken—“No!” he said “you have certainly heard of the death of John’s wife”—Well if I had been shot I could have hardly been more shocked—And I got no further particulars until your letter arrived—John has never written to me since I returned from Shp—and I thought Jennie must surely have been getting better—Poor John I fear this will sit very heavy on him—Coleman said Mother told him she was going to take the babe home with her—but I think the Craigs will not let her—I hardly know what would be best to be done—

May-be Mother will take a notion to come to Fort Delaware—If not—I wish you would write me all the particulars immediately upon her return—Every thing the same with me

Your affc Son

Henry

Maxwell & Jane is just in from seeing Hugh & Isabella are just gone to East Liberty will leave for Cambridge at noon next Monday, is in a great hurry to vote against Vallandignham

Citation: Henry Warner, autograph letter to John Riddle Warner. Fort Delaware,3 October 1863. Moore VI:5:24

October 2, 1863: Alexander Biddle letter to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

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

October 1, 1863: New York Tribune.

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 1, Upper Half

Last evening the loyal men of New York ratified the nominations made by the Union State Convention, held at Syracuse on the 2d of September. The great hall of the Cooper Institute was crowded to its utmost capacity. Citizens of all classes vied with each other in a spirit of generous emulation in coming forth from their homes to evince their interest in the cause of rescuing the State of New York from the doubtful position she occupies by reason of the triumph of the sympathizers with the treason of the Southern States a year ago. That the thousands who could not gain admittance into the hall might not be disappointed, three platforms were erected without in Astor place, around which were gathered earnest listeners to the words of patriotism and loyalty.

The hall within was tastefully and appropriately decorated for the occasion. Over the platform were suspended two unfurled American banners, between which was suspended a painting representing the Goddess of Liberty. Portraits of Washington, Clay and Jackson were also in conspicuous view from the audience. The columns of the hall were draped with the American colors, and from the capital of each were hung four miniature flags.

Citation: New York Semi-weekly Tribune. 1 October 1863. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab.