February 11, 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.

New Camp near WOCh’ch Virg

Wednesday February 11.1863

Dear Julia

I wrote to you the day before yesterday from my Head Qrs in the Picket line and sent the letter in by my servant Reuben – I had very good weather during my tour of picket duty – which passed by with nothing unusual – the negroes supply the men with corn cakes at 25¢ a cake and they have made good shelter tents with pine boughs on the line. In the evening of the first day a Brigadier and two officers rode up to the house inquiring the way to W O Church (about 3 miles out of their way) they were thought to be very unsteady in their saddles. I returned after being relieved yesterday morning to our camping ground which is in sight about 2 miles from the line in a grove of trees. I hear that the 6^th Army Corps (ie one half of Franklin’s left ground Division) has taken transports at Acquia and some of our Artillery has gone too – where I don’t know – but I have a notion some demonstration is to be made towards the James River – if so I think that it has been more quietly done than anything yet attempted our Regiment is on duty in various ways as teamsters guards at head quarters, picket and various detail for special purposes which have very few men in camp. Today it is raining but not hard – my tent shared with me by the Lieut Colonel is very comfortable – I wish you could see it with its little fire places its chimney made out of cross pieces of wood and pieces of cracker boxes daubed with mud…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.11 February 1863. Rush IV:30:28