November 14, 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 near Fayetteville

Friday Nov. 14. 1862

Dear Julia

We have now been in camp at this point since the evening of the 11^th. We are in a wood in a rather level neighborhood water poor and everything rather unattractive – the weather has been fine and today is quite warm. It is about 9 ½ O’clock – We have finished Guard Mounting – breakfast and are in hopes of getting orders to do something or march somewhere The Col don’t like to order out the battalion for drill as we might thereby overwork the men if an order to march should come just when it was over or half done. We hear that a cavalry camp close by has orders to march in a few hours I don’t know what the designs at Hd Qrs are but think we have done nothing by this march. I think the army ought to go on to Gordonville and fight there if it if strong enough and if not strong enough it was but another act of folly to have come at all. Events will soon show Reynolds the Corps Commander is a good General and Meade is also. I wish that greater privilege was given to our Regiment to perfect itself on drill. As a Regiment we have not once gone through the different  firings and although we may do justly well it seems strange to me that no chance should be allowed to a new regiment for so important an object. I should be very glad to get home with you again not that I am discontented with my position or the service –

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.14 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25