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:
Entrenchments at Centerville
Friday Oct 16, 1863
Dear Wife,
Yesterday we left this place in the afternoon and marched towards Chantilly about 3 miles. We halted in the edge of a wood the 6th Corps on our right- after a while we were sent out about a mile south to picket – We lost the road, got right at last- and staid all night-without lights or fires in an open field commanding the country- This morning at break of dawn on a cloudy day we returned to this point and are now posted in support of battalion the 5th NYk 20 lb Parrots are in front of us nearby are two 32º and a number of 10 lbs parrots. Our whole brigade and division is at this point. We have heard not little firing It has rained hard twice to day and the second rain about 8 o clock at night is just over. it was very hard and blew straight through our tent and were it not for the excellent little gum coat Uncle sent I should have been very uncomfortable—but thanks to him I have been perfectly protected__We will have more rain which is worse for Lee than it is for us__Yesterday we heard fighting more or less all day. Supposed to be Cavalry skirmishing- this is pretty much all I can tell in my restricted position sitting on the wet ground on an india rubber writing under a fly open at both ends__but am comfortable for the field__
Good night dear wife, God bless and preserve you and the dear ones and grant us an early return in peace to each other. Love to Uncle- May the heavenly father ever keep us all under his saving protection. Your loving husband, Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 16 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36