October 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:

Sunday October 18th 1863

Entrenchments near Centerville Virg

Dear Wife,

This evening I read your letters of 14th and 16th and I can hardly express the great pleasure it was to get them after being so long a time on the march without receiving any mail. I never lose sight of the hope of sending in a resignation which will be accepted. Just now however you can readily perceive it would not be right for me to do so­—but I keep it in view with the unfading intention of so doing whenever any chance presents itself. I should think Dr. King hardly the ruler in his mansion, or else Mme and he have different views and got independently of each other. I am very thankful to have so good a manager as Uncle in such matters, who always does exactly right. I am very glad you have had your little dinner party and wish we could all return to peaceful relations and have no secession Copperheadism among us. I think it has pretty well received its death blow in Pennsylvania- Last night we were ordered to be in readiness to march if required at early day break. We were 20 horses saddled- tents stuck- breakfast eaten and so remained until 11 O’clock when orders came to go on as usual. So we pitched tents, had inspection, and parade in the evening and are now in a wall tent lent us by the 5th New York 20th Battery Capt Taft which is close to us- His battery has six wall tents six wagons and as one first Officer remarked- they have two wagons with nothing in them although each officer has about 500 lbs of baggage. A regiment has one wagon to every twelve officers and often don’t get that. We have but one wagon for field staff and Company officers and that is never with us except on a halt. I had today a long conversation on gunnery with the battery Captain who is an officer of much meat about shells projectiles, &c. The Shenkel projectile is the one which seems most in favor with a fuse which is either percussion or burns on time- if it strikes it explodes but it explodes at any rate in ten seconds. This is pretty American in its invention- We believe that Lee’s army is before us somewhere uncertain as yet what to be about. If they go into Maryland I think they will have a hard time- if they attack us I think they will have as bad. What Meade may do I cannon tell but I hope he will try to make a sure thing of it this time and get all the force he can bring to bear before he attempts anything. Then I shall hope for decisive success and trust that God may in his mercy grant us victory and save us from carnage of friends or foes as far as possible. The day has been beautiful but the feeling of keeping constantly ready is a trying one. Is it very like a bout of imprisonment– one cannot go away, one cannot send a Man away for any long time. We might get orders to move- we leave everything ready for service and I hope this time may be successful in whatever is assigned to us. I do not lose sight of my intention to terminate my connection with the office. I think that will come about in a due course if I return safe and I trust Providence may grant me that mercy ere long.

The only difficulty in the way is the Southernmost of the estates and trust accounts which I think can soon be done if I were at home- Give love to Clem and all the family and above all to dear Uncle- His little coat is great coat night gown, umbrella, duster, indeed everything at once and so light that it is always either on me or looped over my sword belt. The weight and bulk is really nothing. Good night God bless and preserve you all and lead us in peace and happiness to an early return never more to part.

Your Loving Husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 18 October 1863. Rush IV:30:36