January 12, 1863: 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):

Monday January 12. 1863

Dear Wife

I am writing in the open air in anxious expectation of a few lines from you by the mail soon to come in. Rosengarten went off this morning whilst I was at Court Martial and the lines I wrote expecting him to take will go by post. He has leave of absence from the Secretary of War (Stanton) to go home for seven days – the object being his poor brothers funeral – (gallant fellow that he was) I believe he sacrificed himself to the save the reputation of his corps, rarely have I known a young man who exhibited such manly soldierly qualities united with so much gentleness and modesty of bearing – another young gentleman J Alfred Key – 1^st Lieut of C G goes home sick I have been fearful of him for some days past – his and Rosengarten’s Companies and two others are now under the Command of Sergeants. short work for four months I have great reason to thank God that my own health has so far been so good and that his mercy may be extended to me throughout – Our Lieut Col goes to morrow to Washington to see about the Regimental bounty but I fear it will be useless for you to attempt to send anything to me by him After receiving this – The Col and I with 10 officers will be all the Regiment have to command them but I think we shall get along pretty well…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.12 January 1863.