August 7, 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 (excerpt):

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

August 7, 1863 Friday

Dear Julia

We are still in Camp at the same place I am writing to you in the evening after having endured a very hot day ending in the evening with a heavy rain storm with thunder and lightning which nearly flooded the Camp but it soon cleared off the rain soaked into the ground and the air became pleasant and cool – We do not know how things are to be but there seems something of a prospect of our remaining here for some time – Will you send me some sheets of Emery paper in the bag I asked you to prepare say ½ a dozen – You can get them at Henry’s 9^th & Market Sts – How glad I should be if I could go and get them with you I am very anxious for good news from Charleston – I think success there would pretty nearly break up opposition to the Union Cause – Tell me all about our chickens – I was lying on my bed today looking over your photographs and wondering if my darlings were much changed – the eventful scenes of our late campaign seem to have given to the elapsed time a longer effect than reality should produce. I trust our separation will soon be over and I may be permitted to retire into private life – I long to see you all again…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 7 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34