November 12, 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.  Biddle served with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, beginning in September 1862. Starting out as a major, he would participate 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]

Transcript (excerpt):

Camp beyond Fayetteville

Nov. 12^th 1862 Wednesday

Dear Julia

We marched to this point yesterday from the Camp near Warrenton about 11 miles on the 10^th inst the troops were drawn out and McClellan visited them beginning at 7 Oclock in the morning. He did not reach our Division until after noon about 3 O’clock. The men cheered him vociferously as he passed. Some regiments I hear threw down their arms and ran round him crying out he must not leave them. Ours cheered and threw up their hats & caps. Our brigade was in the advance with the 2^nd and 3^rd brigades of our division about 750 yds in rear and on our left in some low land. So that when the General & his staff reached our left they turned short to left and rode close by me both McClellan and Burnside. McClellan seemed much affected. We have that Adgt. Genl Buckingham an envoy of Stanton’s brought out the order and that he passed McClellan whom he met on his way and went out to Burnside – when Burnside rec’d the order to take Command of the army he said he wouldn’t obey it but on its being represented that he would be displaced in that event and that McClellan would be ousted in any event he finally agreed to take charge of it. In the evening we got an order to stack our arms on our parade and be ready to march at short notice. We got ready filled up the cartridge boxes to the requisite number but the order did not come until yesterday. We marched about 12 O’clock. We marched to the South and are now at this point. In a wood where our tents are pitched and where we have had a very comfortable night’s rest…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.12 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25