September 15, 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. PV.

Camp at Rappahannock Station

Sept 15^th 1863 Tuesday

Dear Julia

I have been pretty busy all day long getting accounts ready and distributing accoutrements &c to the different companies this evening we have been sitting under our bower talking and the band from one of the Maryland Regiments has been playing in front of our Head Qrs – A Cavalry Captain with nine wagons of horse Artillery ammunition is just passing over the bridge of the run by our Camp towards the pontoon bridge which he is to pass on his way to Culpeper whither he is bound – he had lost his way in the Camps – a little too much spirit in him but not enough to do harm We all think we are about to move but we don’t know exactly whether – therefore we surmise and speculate – We are to have another inspection tomorrow to see if everything is ready for a march and we try to keep ourselves ready to move at short notice – that is at about 20’ warning – We have just had tattoo beaten in all the Camps nearby I suppose we shall have stirring times before long. I had hoped it was nearly over but that is asking almost too much of good fortune – Does Aleck hear any thing more of his friend Ned has he any reading exercises now I think I should be much better employed were I at home teaching him than I am here. I have no doubt but that neither Dorr nor Etting will return to us during this year and as to Conscripts I don’t expect to see them in this Regiment – If either D, or E should Call on you tell them I wish them a happy Christmas at home and think they will get it I suppose you are in the midst of grapes and pears – I have very little of the feeling I had last year for good things at home – indeed we have to be pretty careful about diet and every few days a quinine pill as a preventative is applied for oftentimes with good effect…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 15 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35