September 18, 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^st Reg PV. Sept 18, 1863

Dear Wife

We are still about 1 ¼ miles from Culpeper in the fields, last night We had a heavy rain and two severe rain storms to day which were pretty uncomfortable but the day came out fine after all and we had battalion drill and parade in the evening – From appearances it would seem that we are likely to remain here for some short time – We hear no news of military movements to day – but hope we may have success if any should take place – it is pretty dreary – but the country is beautiful – before us is Pony Mountain and our Signal Corps is busy with flags by day and lights by night on its summit – A Creek Called Mountain Stream runs in front of us and is the limit of our Camping ground – I shall be very glad to hear of something definitive about our movements – It almost seems as if both sides felt too weak to take the initiative – We do not occupy anything of a position either of attack or defense We are endeavoring to get our ordinance accounts arranged for the ordinance office at the close of the month which will be somewhat perplexing and may cause a good deal of confusion…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 18 September 1863. Rush IV:30:35