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 121st Reg PV
Camp at Rappahannock Sta Virg
Dear Wife August 16, 1863
Today I sent you in an envelope which will be left to private hand at Uncle Harry’s office $300. – and wrote you a short note. I to day rec’d from the Paymaster as due me for the months of March April May June July $720.90 I have written to Tom to charge my account with this amount and to credit Profit & Loss on the books of TB & Co with the same – After paying my just debts and keeping about $100 by me – the $300 which I send to you was all that remained which you are to use just as you please God bless you would that anything I can do would make you happy with all your cares and troubles – I shall be your lover I know to the end of my days – more So as rolling years confirm your worth and excellence – Troops have been moving by us – pontoons have been taken up and we are informed that we should keep a bright lookout for ourselves – the position is a strong one as far as regards our front although part of our force is on the other side of the river – the river is narrow deep and rapid between steep but not very high mud banks. I put an American flag inside for the little ones which I hope will please them.
Head Qrs 121st Reg PV.
Camp at Rappahannock Sta
August 16. 1863
Dear Wife
I enclose $300 of my pay rec’d today for your use Do what you please with it –
To day was pay day I am paid up to 1st August One of the men was here a few moments since with a letter contg $130 misdirected to Bishop G Brown of Roman Catholic Cathedral – there is no such Bishop there and the man was saved by the mere accident of bringing his letter to Head Qrs from losing it all – – He sends it all to his bishop to be deposited in the Church saving fund and asks him to say a mass for him and deduct the cost – I thought I would mention it to you as it shows how the care of money on one hand and Auricular Confession on the other give a great hold over the uneducated –
I expect to write again to night if we do not march – Many troops have gone back as usual we either advance first or remain last Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 16 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34
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