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):
Head Qrs 121st Reg P.V.
Camp Near White Oak Church Va
January 10th 1862 [i.e., 1863]
Dear Wife
I yesterday got your letter of 3rd inst. the box sent per Adams’ Express has not yet reached me but I hear that there is a boat load of such article at Acquia which may be sent round to Bells plains where we will be able to get them with more facility – the difficulty don’t seem to be to get things to Acquia or Falmouth but after they are there to find out the fact and where to get them – teams of our’s and other Regiments have been sent several times to hand Express goods with no result. If Adams Express get a boat to Belle plains the chances seem to be that we shall hear of it after the boat has come and gone – this is the sort of care Uncle Sam takes of us. As I write the rain comes pattering down on our canvas roof Please return to me the sketch of Head Qrs sent to you in a late letter – there is a demand for copies of it which our artist can better make in his tent than out in the cold. I can send it back again As I write I learn than Adams Express packages will probably be delivered at Belle plains tomorrow – We shall send over tomorrow and then send a wagon for everything. I shall be pleased to see the photograph of the children with Old Bob – strange to say that I had almost forgotten him. We have had a number of visitors lately old Companions of C A now in the Army of whom there are a great many and occasionally a visitor of some kind parent to a son in the regiment – One of whom is now here – a Mr. Cummings – A B Cummings a brother of the former editor of the Bulletin – he has a son a Sergeant in the Regiment. I mention this because it is one of many small incidents which show the strange Composition of our Army…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.10 January 1863.
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