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)
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August 9th 1863
Beloved Wife Today I got your letter of 6th inst. Don’t tell me that you feel as if your letters must be plagues to read – they are what I live on and long for the brightest dearest intercourse I have on earth. – You don’t know what pleasure dear Harry’s and little Jules Comments give me – I partially sent those papers because I thought you might like to see them not that I thought anything of the endorsement of the General beyond its being a gracious refusal to support my paper. I think you may have trouble in the Railroad and Cars with the little ones you will have to keep a good look out for them and at the sea side, I shall be very glad if you Can induce Br Clem to go with you although he will perhaps add to your cares Give my love to Mollie when you see her I thought to day when I read of your seaside trip of Gettysburgh – It was what I came into the Army for that You and our dear ones might live in serenity and peace at home and to find that you had resumed your usual current of thoughts of sea side health giving breezes was a pleasure after the thoughts which you must have experienced last July – I heard of a Quaker House Scattergood’s at Atlantic City described as a very good one – something like the Sair’s house of olden times –
I think I shall soon send you a copy of the Division Report of our Gettysburgh fight – I am of opinion that the first day was perhaps the fiercest struggle in open field of the war and think time will show it – Today Major Knox of the 10thPenna Came over to our Camp – Speaking of the battle he referred to the Action of his Corps which in reserve came into action carried everything before it on the 2d or 3d day as so different from the previous experience of battles when he had been in the front line which got used up in fighting without supports – thank you for the stamps beloved remember me to Emily I am glad to see her nephew had done so well at the Point – I was told today that people at Atlantic City had to wear overcoats on account of the Cold Here we almost melt without doing anything – God bless and preserve you my beloved – You need not trouble yourself about provisions for me among your many cares Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 9 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34