April 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. A businessman and member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary before the war, Biddle entered Civil War service with the 121st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on September 1, 1862. Starting out as a major, he would fight at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 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.

Monday April 6^th 1863

Dear Julia

At eleven O’clock to day we got notice from Genl Rowley that there was to be a Cavalry review in presence of the President near Hooker’s head quarters and we might like to go over. So Hall and I although we had but an hour as the review took place at 12 Oclock mounted out horses and set out. the Review ground was distant about six miles over a very much cut up and exceedingly muddy round – We rode and rode to fine the place Came at last to Hooker’s Hd Qrs everything was quiet there, then to Low’s balloon quarters and saw a crowd of horsemen in a distant hill heard the firing of the Presidential salute by the Artillery and got directions from an orderly as we neared the ground we saw long lines of Cavalry extending in several lines across the country now stripped of everything like wood The Cavalcade with President Lincoln at its head escorted by Genl Stoneman the Cavalry chief and Officer of they day of the day with his yellow sash over his shoulders with his staff with swords drawn had just started – first came the President with the escort as above then Genl Hooker with a crowd of Generals Colonels Lieut Cols Majors Captains &c without swards drawn it was brilliant enough – Stoneman is a perfect picture of a soldier and an officer – I never saw him before and don’t know that I should know him if close to him – but a better subject for a fancy picture Could hardly be found…

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