September 12, 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.

Camp at Rappahannock St

September 12^th 1863

Dear Wife

I have been a little under the weather for a day or two past but am quite well again now – nothing more than one of those occasional fits which occur to us all – I fear owing to a little imprudence in diet – To day we had a very much needed rain which has settled the dust and cooled the air we have seen the 2^nd Corps (I believe) passing down with Cavalry Artillery Infantry all the day they are now in a thick wood about ¼ of a mile distant – whether this portends a movement onward I of course do not know but it may precede a movement to prevent the rebels from withdrawing forces to act against Rosecrans & Burnside – I hope all may be done under the sanction of divine will and guided by the all powerful hand to good results and with little bloodshed – We are all somewhat exercised over Ordinance returns A late regulation requires all officers to close their Ordinance transactions before they can resign from the army and the Colonel and myself are busy in trying to put all transactions in such form as will settle with them – The regulations in Washington are most unjust and inapplicable to the exigencies of service in the field – and I fear that many meritorious officers will suffer much from the fact that the Departments in Washington have never taken care to apprize them of the requirements of their agents. From the news from Charleston and Chattanooga I have hoped that the time for peace would soon come that the fire of the southern heart had sunk to ashes – and have been picturing to myself the hope of turning soon but we know nothing of the future – all is in his hands who rules the destinies of men – We must strive for the best and trust to him…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 12 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35