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 near Culpeper

Wednesday, December 30^th 1863

Dear Wife,

A happy New Year to you to dear Uncle and to our dearly loved darlings. For the second time since our arrival we have changed camp today we got orders from Col Duchesne who now commands division to change our camps inasmuch as we were not posted as had been directed. A very common occurrence__Newton I think looks by map and not by view__Our men after three days and nights of mud and sadly distressing weather had just completed houses and were beginning to believe they would have some prospect of comfort when we found all our work was pointless inasmuch as our Divisions Genl Kenly does not seem to have comprehended his orders for which of course all the men suffer__After inspecting the ground we arranged where camps should be and are now once more in our tents with beds made and table set candles burning but no fire__Tomorrow we expect to have a chimney built and the bricks are already hunted and lying close by so that in a short time if undisturbed we shall again be in comfort__There is a rumor that a rebel officer rode from post to post along our picket line today saying at one post that he came by orders from the Corps Adgt General giving his name__At another saying he came from Meade’s Head Quarters inasmuch as our Infantry pickets are inside of our cavalry pickets this seems to be a pretty daring act_ I give the rumor as I get it__Tomorrow will close another year__I trust that we may all look back upon the year past as one in which we have made some effort to perform our duty and that the blessing of our heavenly father may strengthen and sustain us to resist all perils of adversity and prosperity__the hope that the blessing of an early and safe return to you beloved and to all my loved ones in the one thought uppermost in my mind__I do hope that this mercy may also soon be realized. To day I have nothing from you__our mails have been very irregular of late-and I fear you also will not receive my missives as soon as you ought. Give Papa’s best wishes to dear Aleck dear Harry dear Julia dear Wilmer and the darling Louis tell them all that Papa hopes in another year that the two first will both read and write well and also Miss Jule__Good night beloved wife may God’s blessing rest upon you at every step__And may we all be preserved for many years of happiness with good Uncle and be permitted to see our little ones reflect credit on their parents. Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 30 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 near Culpeper

December 28, 1863

Dear Wife,

Today I received your letter with date of 23d We have had the most dismal weather you can conceive of for two days to day although the sky is lowering we have continued to put up a chimney and am now writing in a tent the water is fast drying out of the clay mortar and soon we shall have a good solid chimney We have got along comfortably for two days with blankets with only the usual open air fire which is pretty cheerless but is better than nothing. I have never known more trying or more cheerless and uncomfortable weather since I have been in service__the men have suffered much and it is surprising to find how cheerful they are working in about two inches of mud all the time__I write a hurried letter__not being in very comfortable quarters and having had a good deal to do. God bless you dear wife dear children and dear Uncle__A Happy New Year to all of you and God grant that we may pass it together. Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 28 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 beyond Culpeper

Sunday Dec”r 27, 1863

Dear Wife,

Today it began to rain after a pretty cold night We did not get orders to move until past noon and then moved off to our destination It rained pretty hard and set in late in the afternoon to rain steadily which it is now doing The men under their shelters on the wet ground which is all frozen__A cavalry camp of the 1^st New York close by, not yet given up as it has a small camp guard might have furnished the men with some partial accommodation but their dilatory arrangements in moving retards both regiments from becoming comfortable this does not apply to me however. It is pitch dark at ¼ to 7 Oclock the rain pattering on the canvas roof of the tent__I am sitting on my bed made on two boards placed upon twp cross pieces which rest in crotches at the four corners,; as it is not so cold as it was I hope in spite of rain to be comfortable to night and there is every possibility of it thank Providence for another blessing for such comfort. I hope this is final for the winter there is no reason which I can perceive for any more movement unless we may be disturbed from beyond the Rapidan__As we passed through Culpeper the other day I heard one of the men say__This is Cold Pepper I wonder where’s hot pepper You’l find hot pepper about ten miles beyond said one of his companions

I hope before the winter is over that something will be done in the way of settling this war from Davis message in which he alludes to the terrific sacrifice of life on both sides I am induced to think if they saw their way clear they would be glad enough of an end of it—

The winter will [purpose?] against them an army of blacks which they have more reason to dread than anything else and place further off any hope of settling matters upon any basis which can be satisfactory to those who now hold the reins of government in the south. Would I could see a ray of light upon the path towards [illeg.]from the army myself but I do not and cannot cease to hope for it at an early day. I think I have been shamefully treated in all my relations with the Government but if under the mercy of Providence I have contributed anything to the success of the cause I shall not complain but still trust the mercy of a [illeg.] may bring me soon home to you again__Good night beloved may God’s mercy surround us our dear children and Uncle and bring us soon together again . Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 27 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, South of Culpeper Virg

December 26^th 1863 Saturday

Dear Wife,

Today about 10 Oclock the Cavalry did move and in the afternoon we were assigned our new position which will be taken by us tomorrow. When we get there we will be the most advanced regiment of our Division and I believe in this direction of our Corps__It is rather hard on the men to have to move in this very cold weather but it might be worse. We shall be on the road from Culpeper__The Country about here is a beautiful rolling Country, but now it is very much stripped of its timber destined to be more so if the armies remain here. I know of nothing of interest to mention to you__It is very lonesome to me. On Christmas eve we had some delightful music from the band of the 5^th Regular Cavalry—which was delightful but I have nothing else which was pleasure giving to mention__I am indeed very homesick and do not become less so by the lapse of days when I seem to be no nearer to my release from this sort of imprisonment but I have much to feel grateful for in the mercy which Providence shows me in giving to me health and strength—and also in the fact that I have not as yet suffered from the cold nights we have recently had This morning the water in my cup froze whilst I was scrubbing my teeth so you may suppose it is pretty severe upon the men. I do not know when I can return home__ Only 10 days leave of absence is granted to officers and that would hardly serve any useful purpose. If I strive for that I might fail to get my resignation through which I much fear will stick anyhow so that I am on the horns of a dilemma but I think it best to do everything I can towards resigning now__I have no doubt but that I shall suffer a good deal pecuniarily by being away from home just now whilst my connection with the office is being closed up but that I can’t well help. I trust a great deal to the goodness and mercy which has been so about our paths all the days of my life and which I do not think is deserting me now May God in his mercy continue to bless and protect us and our darling children and lead us through all trials to happiness in our peaceful home__Give love to Aleck Harry Julia Wilmer & Louis and to dear Uncle. Good night beloved may every blessing surround you.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 26 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 Near Culpiper

Christmas Dec 25 1863

Friday

Dear Wife

This morning I went over to the 6^th Cavalry and breakfasted with Benoni Lockwood at 7 ½ he expecting to be off at 9. I remained with him after a very nice breakfast during which we had much talk of Chestnut Hill until his wagons were all packed and then walked over to brigade head qrs. Returning I met the Cavalry going out towards their supposed destination and bid good to them all. I found after a while that the Cavalry order had been countermanded and by afternoon they were all back in their old quarters. Today we had a general mess. The Dr,  Lt. Gray , QM Capt Dorr Lt Plumer. Adj. and Lt. Jungerich dinner a certain turkey with cranberry sauce with a box of sugar plums for dessert. So you may suppose that the perfect success of your venture.

We are to remain where we now are for two days. And then we will perhaps get orders but we don’t know. The men are in a hollow with very little wood near them and nothing but shelter tents in the mid winter Cold weather but I do not look for much forethought as care for men on the part of General Officers. To my mind they all seem to shirk that part of their duty which requires them to look after the health and comfort of their commands. It is sufficient for them to have some subordinate at whose door they can lay it-But that is an old story.

I shall be very glad when we again get to some place of comparative rest, to hear we can be quiet and I may look forward to renewed effort towards getting my resignation through. I fear there will be in this some difficulty but I expect to surmount it. I fear I shall be the scapegoat of some sins of omission which I think properly belong to Government officials but which officers in the field sometimes suffer for. Today I sent away my boy Reuben to Washington on a holiday. Which is the better of a poor fellow of a black boy or a Lieutenant Colonel of our army. I often times have such reflections forcing themselves upon me but I yet trust that through the mercy of Providence all will right and that I shall be restored to you before long. Good bye dear Wife. God bless and preserve you all and restore me soon to you and our little ones. Love to dear Uncle.

Merry Christmas Happy New Year to all

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 25 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 South of Culpeper

Dec 24^th 1863

Dear Wife

We were under orders last night as I informed you and at about 1/2 past two this morning heard the reveilles blown and beat in the other divisions. We rose and deliberately made the preparations got breakfast, had wagons packed and horses fed and waited and waited until about seven o clock on a cold freezing morning we started on our march. By this point the ground hard frozen and the water so covered with ice that some small streams my horses passed over without breaking through. We marched in sharp wind some 11 miles by Brandy Station thence down the west side on the railroad through to Culpeper a pretty little town with two spires, one a courthouse the other a church about ½ a mile beyond where in a hollow near a Mr. Green’s We are now encamped. I was as usual very much vexed at what seems to me the great folly of getting men up at two o clock at night for the purpose of marching ten miles after day. Our orders were to be ready at early daylight. Daylight is usually early enough for most reasonable people but what early daylight is in a military point of view is a puzzle. The consequence was our men were up ready and waiting for five hours before we moved. Consequence of that was that they were soon craving for another meal after they started. Indeed they were weary before their work begun but this is the usual style of our division and how the general can calculate upon its doing work in time of need when he so little preserves its freshness has often given me subject for thought. I got my men in a hollow partially sheltered from the wind, eat some morsels of cold ham and walked over towards Cavalry Camp near by which we were likely to get for quarters.

As I was standing near the camp a sergeant saluted me saying Cold Morning and asked me about our troops and told me where about they picketed. I asked who they were he said 6^th Penn. What Rush’s Lancers? Yes said he. What officers have you Capt. Lockwood Capt. Stars, Capt. Clark I knew them all and went to Lockwood’s tent or rather house. So you recollect Old Bob’s comfortable dog house at 1626. Well imagine a tenement of about the same relative proportions as regards height width and length about 9ft long by 5 wide wooden sides and canvas cover and you have his very comfortable quarters with little underground flue and a glass window with a curtain at the back. An article of luxurious comfort which unfolded to me some of the delight where the Phenicians of old must have home felt when its use and comfort first became apparent. In fact it took me by surprise I have not had the benefit if such a thing since I left you and I felt myself scanning the transparent aperture inquiringly to ascertain how so much light came in without a draft. Could you believe I have come to this. I passed a very pleasant hour with Lockwood and saw the other officers for a moment. He is in command, Richard, I fear is shelved his step to the invalid corps had ended him I fear his abilities were highly spoke of but he wants the armies for his position. A remark was made that it was better for him to have been sent west by Staunton than to have stayed in the invalid corps. My visit to Lockwood was very pleasant. He showed me the views of his mother’s house you recollect our visit and the side window [we walked?] out of–the photographs bring it all back to me with Mr. & Mrs. Platt Mrs. Lockwood and even the little terrier which gamboled so sprightly. Would I could see the rest again for then I think I should be likely to remain. Returning to my own camp I found three notes, turkey cranberries sugar plums all in excellent order. You have achieved greatness in transmitting a Christmas turkey in such a manner. Many many thanks beloved wife. God Bless you and preserve you and the little ones. Love to [Emily?] and all at home.

Your loving husband

Alexander

The children’s letters are really touching. Thank them much from Papa.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 24 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 Near Paoli Mills

Tuesday December 22d 1863

Dear Wife

Another tedious day has passed away with no nearer prospect as far as I can see of getting home to you whilst the uselessness of my position is daily more irksome to me but it is so willed and I trust that the father of mercy yet has in store for me the happiness of an early return to you. I saw in the newspaper to day the death of Mr. Lewis Waln. I did not think I should have thought so much of his loss but it keeps coming back to me again and again.

We of course have regular wintry weather all the time now. It is pretty cold now and we keep a fire burning pretty much all night. I think you would be quite surprised if you could see our snug arrangements in our little tent some 8 feet square with a mud fireplace blocking off half the entrance. Outside we have a fence surrounding our quarters with pine boughs laid against it to make a thick hedge to keep the wind off. I paused and soon noticed in the papers today the death of Walter Newhall. One of the Newhalls was Richard Rush’s adjutant when he raised his regiment. I wonder if this is the one. They are all fine enterprising young men. Oh it does seem very hard to have to vegetate here when I have so much to do at home and could so well be spared but I find everything in the Army in some way or other has some political relation and in that regard I have nothing to aid me.

I hear of the Colonel enjoying the festivities of our city with many of our officers. That festive enjoyment I envy no one but I shall be delighted when the day comes which lets me free and leaves me safe at home again. I expected to receive a letter from Tom to day but none came. I have therefore no reply but I have sent him a short letter in relation to a power of attorney which I have executed to Clem and wound up by again reminding him of the wishes for Separation.

Goodbye dear wife. May God watch over us with his saving mercy and grant us soon to meet again in freedom never more to part. Love to Uncle and the darlings.

Your loving husband

Alexander

Send me some paid envelopes or postage stamps

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 22 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:

Dear Wife, Monday December 21 1863

Again after a night and day of cold weather I write to you. We have had our usual parade but there was nothing else of any moment that took place during the day. To night I have some papers from Tom, a power of att. which I have filled up to Clem and sent back. I do not as yet see any prospect of my retirement but I hope for an early decision. I told you I had written to Blair to ask him to aid me this was a mere device of my own but I have thought he would if he could. I see by today’s paper that his brother has been sick and is now considered out of danger. I have had no reply but I have determined to try all strings I can find to make my arrow go straight and hope to be successful. I have your letter with the stamps all in good time for my purpose-but I had hoped to be ready sooner than they would reach me. I trust the delay which is occasioned may under God’s mercy be for our benefit and that I may in good time reach home alive and well and before long. I see no indications of a backward movement in our part of the army and I do not see much of preparation for any action-true we are on pretty good ground but not such as I should like to choose. I shall miss the happy Christmas days this year and the joyful little hearts but let us hope that all is for the best and soon our separation may be ended- I expect to get a long letter from Tom which he tells me he is writing to me about the business &c &c-but it has not yet come. I think dear wife that the best tool box would be a better gift to Uncle than the old one which our little raconteur so seriously announces as given to [a papa?] indeed if anything I have could be good enough for him. How sorry I shall be should we lose Lewis Waln. I know no one of the mercantile class like him now. He seems too useful a man to leave us so soon. Good bye beloved may God bless you all and soon bring us in peace together again. Love to Uncle and our darling children. Your loving husband.

Alexander

If any officer comes back who calls on you send me 50 paid envelopes.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 21 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 near Paoli Mills

Sunday Dec. 20.1863

Dear Wife

Again we have had a very cold day-the coldest yet and tonight promises to be even colder. We have however had fine weather. I have in various ways been tolerably busy all day. I fear that the prospect of getting a resignation through is somewhat distant. I trust the reality may not be so. It does seem very hard to me to be kept in this useless position of semi imprisonment without command and without anything to console myself with when I have so much to take me away to home but sighing don’t help me I shall strive every way I know how to push things through here. All I could do at home would be to hunt up some influential friend and in point of fact I know of none who could aid me much and even then it might have to take its Army course. I pray God to give me early success and return me soon to you. Several of our officers are absent now on leave the usual furloughs to men are also granted and six of them are absent. You don’t know what my home is to me and what I think of you all. Dear Aleck I fear will have quite grown out of recollection. I do not mean I fear it, it ought to be so but the changes it seems now a privilege to watch. Harry too I can almost see him [explaining?] “fiddlestick” with his flashing little beautiful eyes. God bless him and take care of him and all the little ones. Every time I look at Winny’s picture it makes me thing of dear Mother. I think he must bear more resemblance to her than any of them. Today we had a slight fire -the tent in front of mine Col McCalmonts caught fire from a stove and I believe would have been nearly destroyed if it had not been for the sentry calling to me as it was unoccupied at the time. I found a sailmaker among the men who has put it nearly to the right again. If we had the tools we could generally find a handicrafts man for almost any trade. Good night beloved. May God give us an early restoration to each other and bless our hopes with success. Give love to the Children dear Uncle and all at home.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 20 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38