August 5, 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 Reg P.V.

Camp at Rappahannock Sta.

August 5^th 1863

Dear Julia

I write to you again to day after a hot spell as usual but without any occurrence of note to mention

I have had to day a rather spicy correspondence with some of my Commanders which I feel unusual at but thinking I am right am indifferent about the results – this hot weather seems to stir up the bile in every body and complaints and remonstrances are rife.

This afternoon one of our Captains who expects to be discharged soon on account of illness had been at work removing the charge from a shell he thought of taking home with him – he had gotten as he thought all the charge out of it and put it into the fire to cleanse it fully – he succeeded in doing so for the charge went off and nearly exploded the shell with a louder report than a musket fortunately it did not explode Another of those extraordinary instances of folly which sensible men are sometimes guilty of – for the Capt is a very clever man – I have written these few lines beloved to advise you of my daily actions May God bless and preserve you and all of us to a happy reunion at an early day – Love to dear Uncle and to dear Aleck Harry Julia and Sweet Louis May our heavenly father keep and preserve you and lead us all in his righteous paths for many years of mutual happiness

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 5 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34