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 have your letter of 17^th a delightful treat to me. The enclosed is a copy of a letter this day mailed to Tom. I have also written to him advising him to curtail some expansions which I do not like to see on the balance sheet sent to me some short time since. Thank you beloved for your good advice, it makes me feel as if I had a “sweet little cherub that sits up aloft to keep watch for the life of poor Sandie.” I don’t think Tom or anyone can suspect you of corresponding with me on the subject. I did ask as you said at the close that my certificates should be put in a box and sent to Uncle. I did this to give a point and certainty to my letter as well as to take a preliminary step. Keep the letter I send to you safe, I may want it. Today Hall has sent up an application for sick leave, he has been failing much and is not the man he was when he came out. I hope he will get well before long. I keep what you say in view. I intend to apply for a leave of absence as soon as I feel that I can with propriety do so. I am most heartily sick of the service and if the colonel were not applying I would do the same. I think I will take preliminary steps at once. Today has passed quietly enough. We heard that the Cavalry regiment brought in an unexpected man last night. This sort of guard duty makes men watchful but it is pretty exacting. What do you think of Kenly. I have heard that after his drunken spree he has not been able to keep from sinning again in the same way. He is now at Warrenton Junction one mile distant with 1300 men for duty and some artillery. Now with all this to guard his precious self he allows us at this bridge. A point as easily assailable where destruction of property would be more injurious to the Army, the bridge we guard is nearly 60 ft high and if burnt the road would be stopped for a week. We have a station above also to protect and with this we have about 200 men all told as guard’s reliefs reserves &c. We don’t think one General very likely to disturb himself greatly however ready he may be to put himself in. I read today Everett’s speech at Gettysburg; you don’t know how glad I was to see the truth gradually breaking out in the appropriate remarks which he made at the close of his speech. Referring to the “forethought and self sacrifice of Reynolds, a sacrifice it was indeed as great a one as Pennsylvania ever received from a faithful son and soldier. Everett’s tribute is the more proper in as much as Meade has not yet found that much of his glory is reflected light. It is also a little funny that two instances which Everett refers too, the movement of Stammard’s brigade of Doubleday’s division. An extract from Doubleday’s report: Doubleday told Chapman that he sent these troops a complimentary notice because they were green troops to encourage them. [Dr. Ketchman?] of that brigade said his time was upon the close of the third day and did not come near the Hospital afterwards. Wadsworth’s Division was of the 1st Corps not of the 11^th. You will see also what is said of Round top and the Penn Reserves. Knox told us it was the easiest fight he was ever in, they lost but 2 killed and five wounded. He said the Regulars of his division had been fought almost to destruction and they  capped the climax. I believe from my experience that most of the best men go first. Gen Geary I believe is looked upon as the most unmitigated humbug in the Army, but he has actually puffed himself into Everett’s address. I give the above as my notes on Everett’s Gettysburg. Good night dear wife, I have been writing nearly all the afternoon and evening. God bless, preserve, and keep you and grant us soon to meet again in quiet civil life in health and happiness never more to part. Good night beloved. God bless and preserve you and guide us to everlasting life through all trials in this through him in whom we trust and hope for mercy unto salvation.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Give love to Uncle and the darlings

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,20 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

Dear Wife,

Nothing from you today. We hear of indications of a forward movement but it seems likely that this division may be left to guard the Railroad At least that has been indicated by some little trifles. We hear that some of the supply posts will be moved tomorrow. Today I sent in a man who it seems is employed in the Quartermaster’s Department for being dressed in a Rebel suit and also had three young women stopped that were passing through our lines on horseback. I think you would have enjoyed the cross examination and appeal at Head Quarters and all the Secesh virulence that fell from the lips of one of them. Who declared she was secession from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot and seemed rather surprised that this rather retarded her progress than advanced it. She did not by all her wits and plans succeed in passing and turned away with every indication of dissatisfaction. I am a little inclined to think she may have got to her destination by another route but outside of our camp. In other respects the day passed without anything of special notice. We had an inspection of the Regiment in the morning and everything worked well. We still have very fine weather and very dull times. I think the very dullest times I have experienced since I have been in the service. We hear today that the Paymaster is to come to us tomorrow. Oh I do wish so this thing were over. I hear that [Meade?] hardly knows what the administration wants. I also hear that many persons in the North expect that the Rebels are trying to get up a protest for butchering our unfortunate prisoners in Richmond. Good night dear wife. May God bless and preserve you and lead us together again in peace and tranquility Love to Uncle and our little ones.

Your loving husband

Alexander

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

Tuesday November 17, 1863

Dear Wife,

Another day has passed away without any material change. We heard this evening that eight laborers some three miles up the road were directed by an armed mounted man to leave their work and were marched into the woods. He sent one back telling him to bring their sugar & coffee or he would shoot one of them. The laborer did so but met the patrol who followed him cautiously on parallel lines. They got within about 300 yards of the captor who the officer in charge of the patrol thinks must have been told by his captives of their coming, for he fled. The men were recovered but the guerrilla was not taken. We are told that some three or four stragglers have been found murdered between that(?) and the Rappahannock. I don’t much credit these stories but the inhabitants of the country have no profitable industry to sustain them as long as they espouse secession and therefore degenerate into thieves and robbers. We hear that the Commissary post is to be removed to Rappahannock station which looks like a probable move in that direction. I asked you in my last to send me a stout pair of woolen stockings by mail. You may make it two pair and put up a tooth brush with it if you think of it– also a pair of common beaver gloves about no. 9– If they fit Mr. Farmer, Clem or any one they will answer for me. I don’t know that I want anything else. It seems to night as if we were to have a snap of cold weather again. Our little fire is burning very cosily in our charming place and makes us comfortable. Here is a view of the front of our tent from the inside. One half closed up with brick work and the fire place with chimney outside– one half of the front or entrance of the tent ties to the tent pole in front height like a sail, the other half is gathered back like a curtain and tied and all the aperture so left is filled up by our fire place built close up and partially into the tent so that we are as tightly shut in on that side as many other. All the rest of the staff have followed the example. We now have milk every day for breakfast. The late Commander of Brigade had two cows which were driven along with the herd and are still left with it. In our tent we each have two planks set up on a crosspiece set on crotches on these planks our blankets are spread our for beds–our saddles are on crotches at the foot of each bed. Chapman has a luxury in a pillow. I have the little carpet bag you lately sent me in lieu thereof. In this you have pretty much all our comforts and luxuries. Gen. Kenly came over here to day and told us his Provost guard had introduced the punishment of tossing in a blanket and that it had a very beneficial influence upon refractory men. We find that some punishment which provokes or excites the ridicule of an offender’s companions is generally the best. Tell me what is Richard Rush doing– entre nous– I fear he is gradually descending in the military scale. I perceive that he is now likely to have some Bureau or Department position in the invalid corps– this strikes me as meaning that he is to be a salaried Govt clerk under the Provost Marshall General or Adj General. Do you ever hear of Louis A Scott– I had read to me the arrival in Washington of Colonel Louis A Scott. Could it be him? Is he in any actual service or has he a regiment at home or is it a traveling title-? Do you hear anything of Ella Potestud and Emily Chapman-? How are they doing-? We have just had a surgeon C F Brisbane stopping to inquire the manner of getting to General Meade’s Head Quarters. I presume one of the New York Tribune tribe from his name. Good night dear wife Bless our little darlings and ask them to write to Papa. Give love to Uncle and tell me about all your cares and troubles. Good night, your loving husband, Alexander

Transcript:

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

November 15, 1863 Sunday

Dear Wife,

Last night shortly after finishing my letter to you, the night being very dark and a heavy rain having fallen which converted the ground into mud—at about 20’ of 11 we heard a shot and very soon afterwards another and then three more in quick succession. All being to the west of us on the other side of Cedar Run and the Bridge supposed to be about ¼ of a mile from it. We turned out and listened attentively and soon afterwards heard five more shots and thought we heard the ringing of the bullets in the same direction. We supposed it was the pickets of the brigade below and the 2d but did not know but that some marauders might have encountered them. The Regiment was immediately placed under arms and we all got ready for any emergency. I went down to the RR Bridge where we had 20 men posted and the officer in charge I sent to a smaller post at a Wagon bridge about 200 yds down the Run—before long we heard another shot and a volley—the balls from which the men thought struck near us and their singing  in the midnight and near by us was unmistakable. I placed the men on the opposite side of the RR bank where we had excavated it as a partial defenses, drew them away from the fires which we permitted to go out—In about 20’ another volley was fired which also sung over around and near us. Some of the men thought our fires were the objects aimed at—but we generally considered that it was a misplaced picket firing in the wrong direction. We remained under arms until nearly one oclock when I dismissed the men to their quarters and lay down dressed. At reveille I went around our posts and then crossed the creek, it being clear daylight, and came upon the picket of the 2^nd Bridgade about 400 yards from the bridge and found from the Corporal in charge who had 7 men with him that his advanced sentry would was facing right towards our camp had seen a man who had not halted when hailed and who by the Corporal’s order was fired at- the picket of 7 men then turned out and tried to catch the supposed enemy and had fired as they thought they saw him but without effect. Today we have had the post changed and requested the 2^nd Brigade to connect with out picket so that if any firing takes place it will not be on each other. The night was very dismal and foreboding. We heard the regiment above us firing about midnight also and we hear that there was an alarm at a station six miles above us—but everything this morning seemed to be as usual and I saw no change in the trains of the RR—The Cavalry also got under arms at midnight and so ends a midnight alarm in Camp. Some of the men did say they thought an old broken down horse had been fired at and the night was dark enough to render a mistake easy but the Corporal and Sentry on post were both certain and they were not far from an opposed point toward which they did not front. This was the occurrence of the night. Today has been very muddy- but we have had the picket line made straight and arranged it all for mutual safety. Chapman today got some of the papers he has been preparing to help his resignation. I do not know if he will succeed or not but he is sanguine of success. May God in his mercy grant that we may both be spared to go home at an early day. I have been preparing measures to settle up with Government and filed all Ordinance Accounts up to September last but have not yet heard from the Department. You do not, cannot conceive how utterly sick and tired I am the whole business I am engaged in. I wish I had a little respect for my superiors but I have none for none come up to my ideal of conscientious educated soldiers. I shall be most heartily glad to give up the service whenever they will permit me so to do. Give kisses and love to all my darlings and may God grant us and early return to each other. Good night my dear wife, whom to see again is my sweetest hope and comfort. May God bless you, my beloved children, and dear Uncle. Your loving husband, Alexander

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

Saturday, November 14 1863

Dear Wife,

I have nothing particular to note to day. After a fine mild day it is now raining and we have had for a short time a very severe rain with thunder and lightning. Some cavalry are now in the woods opposite to us and we feel entirely easy as regards any assault but the darkness of the nights and the weather is very favorable to any attempt to displace raids or try in a culvert without a guard near at hand. Today I walked out about a mile with our surveyors and took a view of the Cavalry. It is very favorable to marauding operations. We saw one of our own Cavalry pickets and came upon a house with one of our guards at it. His force we now have though not exceeding 200 bayonets is I believe sufficient for its purpose. We hear that Meade and [Newton?] are both in Washington, the one I think to get explicit instructions from Halleck, or rather to get Halleck to assume the responsibility of failure if his orders are carried out to the letter. The other goes to look after his nomination as Major General which he effects to get the Senate to confirm. I look for Meade to be the next decapitated and indeed now that I see the Richmond papers acknowledge a defeat at the Rappahannock, Lee himself may lose his favor. They have nothing to rejoice on of late. Certainly they have tried to turn the tables on us and have entirely failed. You will see an account of the capture of some laborers at Noker Station about 4 miles distant that is guarded by our brigade but not by my regiment or men for this I thank their good fortune. If we go into Winter quarters soon I shall try to get home even if there is but little chance of resigning. May I ask you to send to me by mail a pair or two (not more) of stout woolen stockings- to come halfway up to the knee and the foot to be not over 10 ½ inches long. I am nearly out. I think Meade’s report of Gettysburgh will soon make a stir and that there will be quarrelling and each General will finally tell his own story in his own way. Our Philad—Historical Society has offered a reward for the best account of the battle. If they were to collect and publish in a volume the reports of Regimental and other commanders they could easily get them and it would be a better history than any one could write. Have you seen a book on Japan published by Harper’s/ I think it would interest you. Good night dear wife May Heaven surround you with its choicest blessings and sanctify to you and our darlings all the care of our little ones. Give love to Uncle and to brother Clem. I feel as if I were dreadfully stupid but have nothing to interest me so much as thoughts of home which are present to my mind night and day. I wish you could see our tent with one half its front blocked up by a brick chimney which we have built which closes up half our front and it a comfortable fireplace and has several times made our tent too warm. The rain is now over but it set us nearly afloat at one time. I hear the Locomotives puffing away on the road and trains yet passing down. I always rise now at each dawn to see that the road is patrolled before the cars begin to run. Good night dear wife God bless and preserve you and lead us safe to meet each other never to part at an early day.

Your loving husband, Alexander

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

1863 Nov 13^th Friday

Dear Wife,

I again write a few lines to you. Today after much solicitation, a detail of 50 additional men were sent over here which enables us to do the duty of guarding the post more thoroughly than before. We have nothing new but see Meade’s report of Gettysburg in the papers. I think it will bring out all the General’s Reports and we will have a pretty mess of the matter. I hardly think that Meade has given Reynolds any part of the credit he fully deserved. I believe it was to his genius and skill that success was chiefly owing and I thought Meade would so speak but I fear he has forgotten a good deal. I see he has gotten a little into the speech making line and I really think his head is a little turned. I have no doubt he would [run?] his army against any barrier he felt orders etc to assault but I don’t think that is Generalship. He has done marvelously well but I fear a little for him. I don’t think he knows himself, what he would be at Winter is coming on a pace and soon something must take place. I hope it may be for good. I have put down these few hundred lines, dear Wife, and sent you two photographs of officers Lieut [French?] and Lieut [Hoberton] to put along with others which I have sent home. If you have any spare ones of me send me some. Goodnight beloved God bless and preserve you and grant us an early return to each other. Love to Uncle and our dear Children. God bless you,

your loving husband,

Alexander

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

1863 November 12^th Thursday

Dear Wife,

Night again has closed in upon us and I am again employed in giving you the daily account of our activities. Cavalry have been coming into the woods in squads with broken down horses which they expect to change for good ones not yet arrived at this station. This evening we hear that a shanty was burned about 2 ½ miles from here by three Rebel cavalry men about sundown. This is the only thing which has occurred. The day has been beautifully clear and as fine as one could wish to see. Today two of General Rowley’s aids, Dennison and [Heburton?], were ordered to join him at Portland so that tomorrow our Brigade Hd. Qts will be smaller. Another of our captains- J. Frank Sterling, who was shot in the side at Gettysburg, has resigned and his resignation accepted on account of physical disability. How hard it seems that with out the power of doing any real good to the service I am kept here to fill this nominal position- that too when the Government pays so high for services. I am or rather have been talking to an old Negro from the James River who has been with an officer for 17 months and who has been telling us about the farms and people of the James River. He is a good specimen of the race but more intelligent than ordinary. He has just been writing his name for us, which is not badly written and says that five months ago he could not make a straight mark with his pen. He says also that he can read and that he started it himself. He is 41 years of age and says if he were in the South and that (his writing) were seen they would do more than whip him. He says he taught himself to read eight years ago on the plantation- and that when he spelt wrong he spelt wrong and that when he spelt right, he spelt right, but he kept on, until he found out how to do right. I have been writing whilst cross questioning him and have been setting down his words. He is now showing us his copy book which is at the same time a journal, really a curious little production. He tells us that the negroes hardly know the meaning of the war and that it is carefully kept from them but they are beginning to find out what is to be the effect of it. Oh what I would give to be with you and get rid of all this business and find myself safe at home with my dearly loved ones again. The army instead of being an honorable service seems to me to have become in a great measure a prison house- whose doors are freely opened to politicians to enter to plunder or to go out with it, to all them it is a system of [durance ?]. When one sees so much of this is it surprising that it should be greatly opposed. I shall be I think hereafter more than ever an advocate of schools of military instruction but I fear West Point has gotten under the thumb of the politicians. Good night dear Wife, may God bless, protect and preserve us all to a happy reunion is my constant prayer. Your loving husband, Alexander

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

Hd Qts 121st SPV

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1863

Dear Julia,

Today I got your letter of 7th, which I received with great joy as I always do. I was too glad to hear of Myra and her family. I think Blair is right in opposing the Radical abolition party which I see now gets the name of Charcoal. I see by the paper that it was Stuart’s Cavalry which attacked our pickets near Thoroghfare Gap and that it was his men which were directly in our front. You have my letter which mentions the report of part of the 7th Maryland being captured on that night. The whisky-blackberry cordial and the little flask are all safe, as yet unused in my bags. I do not think that I have touched spirituous liquor since I came back to camp, excepting perhaps two glasses of ale which we one day had. I have been very anxious to see the various reports of the Generals of the Gettysburgh battle and hope they may soon come out. We still have stories of guerillas or prowling parties of the enemy’s marauding cavalry. […] I should be very glad to see some definitive decisions result and pray that God may soon grant it to us. You know next year will be the canvas for the next president and the election will in November. I always dread any political combinations with army movements which they are sure to embarrass and and hope none will arise. Good bye dear wife God bless, preserve and keep you and my beloved ones to a safe return to each other. Give love to Uncle and kiss all my darlings for me. Good night again dear wife. Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,11 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37