November 7, 1862: 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. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on  September 1, 1862. Starting out as a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, among other engagements, and would leave the service as a lieutenant colonel. (He was commissioned, but never mustered, as colonel)

[Note: this statement has been updated to reflect that Biddle was not mustered as a colonel. It also originally mistakenly stated Biddle was also at Chancellorsville, but he was on leave]

Transcript:

Camp near Warrenton Virginia

Nov 7^th 1862 Friday

Dear Wife

We arrived here last night having marched from Georgetown yesterday – Thursday – the day before Wednesday we marched from our camp between Philemont and Union – through the town of White Plains to Georgetown getting there after dark – the sound from the camp passed through Middleburg which we marched through with colors flying drums beating and we heard of one or two Secession manifestations – saw several hospitals with the rebel hospital flag on them – the town of White Plains seemed all but deserted as I rode through at night I saw no sign of life in the place but houses deserted At Washington last evening a beautiful town – we saw five rebel hospitals – and little manifestation of feeling some respectable looking women I saw at one house – with their handkerchiefs to their eyes as if in tears – and I can not think hardly of them for that for the sight of so many thousand men, marching never to return is certainly a sight to grieve on. The Army is not at the same camping ground it was at 12 mos ago about having marched around it for nearly 120 miles. I write in the hopes of this reaching you through our [sutler?] who goes to Washington to day Love to Uncle and out dear children and may God bless and preserve you and them and restore peace and love to this beautiful and desolated country now so ravaged by our wicked foes

I hardly thought to have a chance of writing to you and trust this may reach you well. Heaven bless you

Your loving husband

Alexander

We bivouacked near Georgetown in the rain in a wood. The same last evening without rain near Warrenton. We have heard firing at intervals during the last few days have seen several rebel prisoners and face drawn up in line of battle as we approached Warrenton expecting opposition but found none. This is a beautiful country and there are many pretty houses on the hill tops around. I am well and every thing is doing tolerably well

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.7 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25