December 4, 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):

Camp near Brooks Station

Head Quarters 121^st Regt P.V.

Thursday December 4^th 1862

Dear Julia

I have heard nothing from you now for several days. I know that our Sutler has gone back not being able to get a pass and suppose my package and letters are thereby delayed. Though very sorry for it yet it cannot be helped and I must try to bear the discomfort of not hearing from you which alone alleviates the pain of being away. Our Bounty pay agent arrived on 1^st to pay the bounty of $25 and [premium?] of $2 promised in September last. 3 Companies had not the necessary papers and there was telegraphing to Washington which being replied to may correct it. On the 2^nd we went out to picket – made Head Qrs at the same place a man named Scooler who I believe to be thorough Rebel – he has two daughters – one quite bright with a good deal of natural cunning and two young women from Delaware removed to Virginia named Warren. We found them visited by several of the young captains and Lieuts of the neighborhood and had an oppy of seeing how easily a cunning secesh young woman can cajole a yankee We were evidently not so acceptable to them as at first but I think they appreciated our system better than they did that of others. I think you would have been amused at one of the young women asking for a pass and the Colonel’s non committal replies mixed with numerous inquiries about them to which in hopes of gaining their object they gave replies from which we might give a tolerable acc. of birth parentage education &c – then an appeal to the major – as flinty as any stone could be – finally an invitation to the Sergeant Major to take a walk who had been previously admonished he was to turn back at any picket station. I almost think were I a rebel that I could go through our lines from end to end – even our riders from Hd Qrs when we apply are not so stringent as we would make them ourselves. We were relieved late in the day and rode home to camp through the ravines to get orders to march at daylight this morning. We have not done so however as clothing and shoes had to be distributed which have but just arrived…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 4 December 1862. Rush:IV:30:26