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):
Camp at Rappahannock Sta
Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.
Sept 13. 1863
Dear Wife
I to day rec’d your letter of inst with statement of papers in valise, I don’t like to bother you but did you look in the pocket book part of the valise I think there are a number there – Please see what are there and give a sketch of them if at all different from those you mention Could To day we have been under orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments notice – the 2d Corps with the Cavalry has crossed the river and firing has been heard at a distance during the day – We hear the 2d Corps is in Culpeper and the Cavalry beyond – to night it is raining and last night it rained pretty hard – We think that all the better for us if it does not Continue too long I had hoped that the other armies would have met with such success that there would be little hope left for the Southern side and I am inclined to think it will still have a great effect upon us. – I am very sorry to hear of dear little Winny being so peaky – he was such a sweet hardy looking child and had such an expression of dear Mother in him that I turn to his dear little face often times. Oh if I could only get back to you – I do not think the Colonel getting his resignation through will so me any harm it will rather I think help me for the same influence I guess I can have to operate for me – I knew he had a means of action which I had not outside of the Army and were he out and I in anxious to get out I think I should have the benefit of it in a quiet way…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 13 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35