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):
Dear Julia
Our regiment was ordered out on picket duty yesterday and in obedience to orders we marched at 4 O’clock P.M. about 4 miles to the point we relieved the 8th Regiment Reserves formerly Col Hayes / this Regiment was near poor Harry at the time he was wounded. I rode with the officer in command and relieved the pickets of the left wing the Buck tails who were beyond us being relieved by the 142nd Penn. Our pickets (i.e. of our Regiment) extend about a mile South of this house on our right we connect with the pickets of an Indiana Reg. on our left with the 142nd Penn. There is another line of videttes mounted beyond us extending about 3 miles further to the Warrenton Springs. We posted the pickets gave instructions returned to this house – had supper of corn cakes milk bacon and tea – laid down on the floor and on long wooden chairs and slept till 12 Oclock then the Col and I rode round the line of pickets were challenged by stupid sentries in every conceivable way but were pleased with the result when compared with other regiments and returned at ½ past one.
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.9 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25