October 17, 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:

Saturday 17th Oct 1863

Camp near Centerville, Virg

Dear Wife,

We are in positions awaiting an attack if it is the intentions of the Rebel force to come this way—The position is a strong one- in front are earth works with embrasures and epaulements for cannons and some large pieces are in position. In front of us are four 20 pounders, Parrot rifle guns and in a wood a little to the right are two 32 pounder rifle guns- from these points We can command the country for as far as five miles and nearer the country is very open and does not afford any very great material protection to troops. It is different to the North where the ground is more broken and more thickly wooded. After last night’s storm which at one time blew straight through our tent from end to end we were rather moist and although we slept comfortably enough yet we had this morning blankets to dry and things to put in order generally. The day has been perfectly favorable for it, we have gradually become easy and comfortable and await the next step in the war which we are to take. We have not had letters or papers for some time. I have had none since we left Kelly’s ford on the Rappahannock. The men have been employed cleaning their pieces and are generally comfortable. As we have no wagons as yet, we can hardly say the same for we yet depend on what we can carry on our  horses and  sleep sit and live under our fly. The country about this point is beautiful. To the North we can see the top of Sugarloaf Mt. and to the west the Bull Run Mts with Thorofare Gap, the Ketocton Mts and Bull Run Mts all the same ridge they begin to rise at Warrenton Virginia run North East to Maryland before Frederick and in that state take the name of Ketocton Mts running up to meet the South Mt or Allegheny a little west of Emmetsburg. Where these Mts enter Maryland [a ?? turns of] beginning  with the Sugarloaf Mt, having the Monocacy on the western side towards Westminster and so to the Susquehanna we look over a vast extent of country. Can see the Blue ridge of Virginia and parts of Maryland  The pontoons have passed down below us to day, we think to Bull Run to bridge it Since the rain which was very heavy. It will not be long before we have some defense because of Lee and his movements which I think have been to a great extent so far frustrated- I already think that he is falling back upon his second intentions not being able to  prosecute his first. May providence protect us as his mercy has done- for I can see in this storm of yesterday as well as with weather we have had a powerful aid to our cause. May our labors be under his guidance and with his favor. We have much very very much to be thankful for in the blessings of health and indeed in the most remarkable manner in which our provision train and supplies seem to have been permitted to accompany us. I say permitted for there was not a want of opportunity to injure our trains if the Rebels had hit the right point and time. May God in his mercy grant us success and lead us soon again together, never more to be separated in health and happiness. Good bye dearest, God bless and preserve you and all my beloved ones and dear Uncle. May our separation be but short and peace again exist throughout the land.

Your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 17 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36