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 14. 1863 Monday
Dear Wife
Today we were to have a review and parade of the Division at ½ past 9.- At that hour We met on the review ground about ¾ of a mile distant and formed in line of battle received the Division General with the usual Salutes & music presented Arms and marched by him in Review going through all the forms of regulations – We were then inspected – muskets cartridges knapsacks carefully examined after which we were dismissed being the first brigade we were dismissed first and returned to Camp – very well satisfied – to day We had notice from head Qrs that the Cavalry had taken some 3 pieces of Artillery and were beyond Culpeper – which the Infantry have passed through–The Cars – that is a train of 12 took up the wounded to day – this is the most distressing sight I have seen – a rather sinister sight – the train of Cars for wounded men – the ambulance train filled – the stretcher bearers coming on to a battle fields give me an impression which is more poignant more sharply painful that every other sight I know of – unless it is the scenes near a hospital on a day of battle – To day we heard indirectly that Genl Meade intended to give Genl Reynolds and his Command a special notice in his Report – let us see if it turns out so I do think it was Reynolds gallantry and judgement which was the turning point of the whole affair – We hear that Col Morrow of the 25th Michigan who was taken prisoner reports that a brother of Gen Hill’s said to him he never saw such “heroism” and such fighting as the first day – the numbers on our side were comparatively small but there was no such thing as hesitation or want of alacrity – this was all from Reynolds – We had unbounded confidence in him and his industry – We hear of no battle today but believe our troops are all beyond Culpeper…
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 14 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35
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