August 14, 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^st Reg PV

August 14, 1863 Friday

Dear Julia

Just as the sun goes down after a storm of lightning & thunder has been threatening us with its usual succession of rain I begin my daily pleasure of writing you a few lines the greatest happiness I have is in dwelling in thought on you and ours – Do you know what this is above – It is a very comfortable arm chair made out of a flour barrel after it has been emptied – the hoops are first nailed to give it firmness and there it Is But as above and a seat made out of the top of a cracker box it makes in this way a seat writing table and box for stores (usually bottles) I sketched it for the children – One of the men to day caught a partridge, he hit it with a stone and so captured it – the day has passed as usual quietly – I have sent out 35 men for picket duty on the other side of the river the usual detail from out regiment for the next 48 hours – this sums up a bulletin of today’s affairs except that we get a ration of fresh bread to day – which I don’t think I have seen for a week…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 13 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34