March 4, 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:

Camp near Belle Plains Virg

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Saturday March 4, 1863

Dear Julia

I wrote to you this the most blustering day we have had this season – it has been blowing hard since last evening A perfect gale my tent flapping like the sails of a ship and sometimes with wrenches against the guys which hold it which almost seem likely to start it from them – this has lasted all day long and I have scarcely left my tent during the day – I formed the dress parade with the usual exercises at Retreat but we have done nothing else to day – Yesterday I had another very kind letter from Uncle intended to come through me over who could probably have never got near to us. It is rather difficult to find us unless one comes to Belleplains direct – I put in this note a photograph of Chapman for your military album – To day our last two Captains left us on leave of absence for ten days I still have hopes of getting a leaved when the Lieut Col returns but I fear there is little likelihood of it – I do not feel at all enthusiastic about military life the more so because with our little battalion I see no necessity for more than one field officer and when there are two there is nothing to be done but some wretched out post duty – the more I see of the army the less respect do I feel for any of its Commanders. General Reynolds I believe is a really fine officer and I have been favorably impressed with General Rowley on one interview but the number of humbugs I have seen astonishes me – I sent our Quarter Master Lieut General who has gone home sick to message telling him to call on you when he returns saying you would know him…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle.4 March1863. Rush IV:30:29