February 6, 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 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 :

Head Qrs 121^st Reg. P.V.

Camp near W O Church Virg

Friday February 6. 1863

Dear Julia

I again send you the few lines which it is my daily pleasure and habit to do when in my power. Last night orders arrived for the Pennsylvania Reserves to be ready to take transports as soon as provided to go to Alexandra and report to Genl Heintzelman

The 121^st and 142^nd (new regiments) remain here and I presume henceforth are practically disconnected from the Penn. Reserves. I am not sorry for that but I could not help inwardly indulging the hope of return to you which is now crushed for the present Yesterday afternoon it snowed we had about 2 ½ or 3 inches of it on the ground – it then began to rain and has been raining ever since – with occasional lulls – the side of the hill is liquid mud and so it is outside the cabin – I think as soon as out neighbors the 6^th move tomorrow that we shall take their camp on top of the hill instead of ours – The sun has just come out and has been shining brightly whilst the rain has been pattering on our canvas roof – Two of out captains left us today – one ordered to hospital (Ridgeway) from an injured foot the result of Fredericksburg – the other (Lawrie) on leave of absence to recruit his shattered health. We now have but three Captains present with the force and none of them particularly strong. We hear a new Division is to take the place of the Old one but I don’t know and can’t tell anything about out future prospects. My feeling is that all army movements have in this army been miserable failures A great army wants a great leader or else it may be as much an instrument of evil as of good I don’t think the salvation of the country is to be worked out be the Army of the Potomac.

I have not infrequently had before my mind the idea of withdrawing from the service – not thinking my regiment 400 strong deserving of three field officers and feeling very much like a fifth wheel to a coach – a thing which may be very useful perhaps has been so but which in a reasoning point of view could hardly think itself of any great use when the ordinary wheels were present. I can’t very well now do anything but I feel inclined whenever a proper opportunity offers to change my position if possible one can’t resign before an enemy I think I have made the effort I intended but I do not think any such position as I expected to have held has ever been held by me – this is a little matter between ourselves just to tell you how I think and feel. With the Colonel present everything is done by his action – with the Lieut Col present of course I defer to him. So that I never feel as if I had a command worthy of my labor. We have gotten well into the winter and every snow and rain which comes makes me think well so much the more chance for fine weather I have been blessed as compared with others with very fair health though with occasional trifling colds but am now doing very well. I wrote a hurried printed letter to the children yesterday in which I was interrupted by Hewson Bache coming in a very pleasant surprise but he did not stay long.

Give kisses to our darlings and love to Uncle and all at home

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 6 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28