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 in 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 Regt P.V.
Camp near W O Church Virg
February 4 1863
Dear Julia
Tell Uncle that Moody’s Descriptive list was sent after the receipt of his letter in consequence of what he said by Capt Ashworth to the surgeon in charge of the Chestnut Hill Hospital – These lists are sent by the Captain of the Company to the Surgeon in charge of the Hospital in Conformity with Army regulations they are not sent to the men – The Captain did not know where the man was until I told him of his whereabouts and to send the list – I enclose a slip from the New York Times – it corroborates my impressions as to the F’dksb’g ? fight I enclose it thinking you might like to keep it with any other papers relating to the war. This has been such a bitterly cold morning – I had an icicle half an inch long after being out in the cold air for a little while – Our little cabin which has a snug little fire place in it is very comfortable – Eight of us are now in it – it is about 10ft by 14 – with a little door at one end made out of the tops of cracker boxes and a chimney at the other – the bricks of which were carried off from a secesh house near our old picket line – they have done good service for the Government since – two of our men are looking over some scraps of torn letters found in the woods with unused postage stamps which makes us think letters have been stolen from our mail pouch – three men identify scraps of their letters we have a clue we think to the robber – Our men having just been paid off there is a strong chance for theft but we have had so much confidence in our men that until to day did not suspect it could be…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 4 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28
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