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 (excerpt):
Camp near Belleplains
Virg
Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.
Thursday March 5, 1863
Dear Julia
I have just finished a long business letter to Tom in reply to one from him. To day I received orders for a Brigade drill on Saturday at one Oclock – it is now the Coldest weather we have yet had and I sometimes marvel how it is I keep as well as I have done – The newspaper today seemed to indicate some good news from Vicksburg – to day we saw a balloon up for good two hours WSW in the direction of Falmouth I have been on a new Division Court martial for the last three days which to day occupied me until ½ past two O’clock – Every afternoon I contrive to give them some exercise in the manual on the parade ground but we have so many detailed from our regiment that it hardly has men enough left for Camp duties – I have not heard from the Colonel for some days past but have been looking out for him almost every day – there is a great deal to be done towards appointing new Officers and reorganizing the force which I feel some delicacy about arranging if it is to be reviewed such as recommending officers for promotions to the Governor The new regiments have all arrived and I have no doubt but that the force will present a very fine appearance when brought together – The other day I had a complaint made by our surgeons of the man who would not cut his hair &c – I picked out another incorrigible and gave him a pair of scissors and told him to cut this fellows hair and when that was done let him cut the others – I wish you could have heard the Doctors laugh after the report was made to me – One thing is certain they will not want hair cutting for three months to come judging from the close crop they exhibited…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 5 March1863. Rush IV:30:29
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