February 5, 1863: Alexander Biddle to Julia Williams Rush Biddle and 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 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 :

Thursday February 5. 1863

Head Qrs 121^st Reg. P.V.

Camp near W O Church Virg

Dear Julia

Today is a day of a snow storm it has been snowing since early daylight and is now about one Oclock PM. We are in a moderately warm cabin but will soon again have a fine blazing fire which has already burned down twice or thrice since morning. I am writing on the Lieut Col’s bed made out of blankets put on poles thus. four forked sticks are driven into the ground and a cross piece goes from fork to fork – on these long poles are placed which form the bottom of the bed and have some spring in them, on these by means of blankets we make pretty comfortable beds and the spring of the poles make them easier than one would expect – The Lieut Col is lying on my bed made on top of a large trunk like the one you sent to me. Hall and the Quartermaster are writing and doing nothing on the other side. The day of course is a very stupid one. I have been repairing camp stools all the morning and reading the military book you sent me. Your corn pudding preparation is still very acceptable to our mess. I now make it in one of the tin pails which had butter and partridges in for me – they are the very things for the march and hereafter one will go on my saddle and one on Reuben’s Our horses are all ensconced in stables made of pine boughs which moderately protects them – the greatest trouble I have had with horses is with Louis who knocks his fore shoes off with his hind ones – but both are now in very fair order – I have written this short letter intending to send Aleck & Harry a few lines on the other sheet May Heaven bless and protect you dear wife and soon restore us to each other never to part – I don’t know whether you can comprehend my rough illustration but they may amuse our darlings

Love to Uncle & winsome Winny

Your Loving

Alexander

To Aleck and Harry

Papa would like to know from Aleck and Harry if they can read his printing yet Papa hears that both Aleck and Harry have sword which Mama dear Mama has given to them. If you dear children wish to be soldiers You must begin by being good men. You must always speak the truth – be obedient and never do anything that you would be ashamed that anyone should know. You cannot be a good boy or a good soldier if you are afraid to do what you know is right – You must learn your lessons and be sure that you know them A soldier must know a great many things to be fit for anything. Tell Mama that De Hewson Bache Division Medical Inspector has just come in looking very well I must close this in a hurry.

Love to you all dear children.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, Harry and Aleck. 5 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28