January 3, 1863: Alexander Biddle to His Children

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:

Dear Children

Papa sends happy New Year to Aleck Harry Julia and Winny – Papa wished very much to go home on New Year’s day to have a New Year’s dinner with Mama Uncle and his dear children with Uncle Clem but Papa had to stay with his Regiment and take care of the soldiers who do not take good care of themselves – Papa has to see that they dress betimes and are cleanly in all that they do so that they will always be well and ready to march at a moment’s warning.

Papa would be very glad to get home and trusts he may be permitted (DV) to see his darlings again and hear Mama say that they are all good industrious children who can read write and cipher. Papa’s men have built a log cabin for the Colonel Lieut Colonel and himself to sit and live in [drawing] there it is it is all logs except two pieces of canvas which go over a log at the top and make a roof we got some bricks and made a fireplace and filled up the spaces between the logs with chunks of wood and mud Papa hopes to send a better drawing of it home some day for Mama. it has a little window in the side with a door at the back. Mama sent Papa some corn starch and on Christmas and New Year’s days Papa mixed three table spoon fulls with milk sugar lemon peel and some cherries Mama had sent him and made a pudding – Every one said it was excellent – mama will make such a one for her darlings if they are good.

Papa hopes Miss Smith and Miss Kneedler will both say they are if he comes home and trusts our Heavenly Father will bless his dear children Mama Uncle and bring all in peace and happiness together again

Papa

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to his children. 3 January 1863. Rush:IV:30:27