February 9, 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 Division Picket Line

Monday February 9^th 1863

Dear Julia

Yesterday morning at ½ past 7 O’clock I came out here to take charge of the Picket line of out Division relieving Lt Col McCalmont – I have put up at a house where I found him and have just passed through the first 24 hours having visited the line twice yesterday and at two O’clock in the night I slept very comfortably on the floor using Louis’ blanket for a foundation and placing my own and my india rubber blanket on top – a bed I have become so used to that I declined a very good looking one – the nicest I have seen in Virginia – because I did not know whether it might not have some troublesome residents and because I knew two Picket officers and proprietors had slept in it the night before – it was entirely vacated for my use but I did not occupy it. During my ride I called at several houses near the line and found them all pretty poorly off for food Our breakfast consisted of corn cakes – salt pork and coffee – the two latter dishes articles bought from the soldiers. The occupants of the house are a woman now sick an infant two young men and a young woman who has come to help nurse a little girl and two boys about 8 years old. I sent some beef tea made out of my haversack up to the sick woman by whom it was gratefully received – the people are more quiet civil and inoffensive than any I have been brought in contact with – they seem fully alive to the destitute condition, [loth?] of approaching starvation if the state of things continues but seem to have no idea that they possess any influence either way to prevent it they congratulate themselves that they were not impressed into the Southern Army but seem to recognize that army as the one which they are in duty bound to respect – I have sent my man Reuben back to Camp for some potatoes &c to eke out a dinner intending this to go in by him to be mailed…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.9 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28