November 18, 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)

Transcript (excerpt):

Tuesday Nov 18^th 1862

Camp in the fields on the Road to Stafford CH

Dear Julia

On Sunday evening I returned with the regiment which had been out on picket duty since the day before under my command – the Sutler arrived on that evening and I got the drawers gloves flash ginger &c just as we got orders to march next morning the apples and grapes were very acceptable not only to me but to several sick and weary officers. I wish you could have seen the expression of gratitude that the receipt of a big apple produced. We marched in the morning passed Bealeton and are I believe going to Stafford Court House. We pitched tents after dusk last night on the edge of a wood with a large part of the army near us. We had your pickled salmon this morning and have turned off the road to encamp. I write on a [Swootings? suit?] inclined downwards to get the light of the fire on the paper…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.18 November 1862. Rush:IV:30:25