November 3, 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:

Camp at Bristow Station

Tuesday 3d November 1863

Dear Wife,

The idea to day seems to be that we shall make another push towards Fredricksburg and have another battle. We are indeed to have eight days rations in hand from tomorrow and think we may then move. This sort of thing has become so periodic that we don’t think much of it but of course some day something must come of it. I think it very possible that we may move tomorrow. The night has been fine with a high wind blowing until within a few moments when it has gone down and all is quiet. We hear the puffing of the locomotive as it passes on its way to Catlett’s station– the RR being about 200 yds from our tents. I had thought this company had come to a close but I hear great efforts have been made to forward convalescents to camp and to send forward all invalid soldiers, which I presume signifies that the men whom they relieve go to the front. I hear that rations for 88,000 men are distributed to this army which allowing 20 pct for supply trains and details would leave 60,000 fighting men. I should think a greater force than Lee has, but then he has entrenchments and earth works which make a difference. I have of course little to speak of Camp. Life varies but little—today has been moderately busy with papers, battalion drill etc. We have lately been occupying ground which was the scene of a late engagement and unexploded shells are not uncommon. We have had some few explosions and an occasional accident from the careless curiosity of the men who handle them. I fear it will be long before I see my bag or box from Adams express but suppose it will reach me (DV) somewhere or other. No Express matter has yet come down to this point. Good night dear loved wife, may God in his infinite mercy preserve, guard and keep us all in safety and health and grant that living in his fear we may soon be returned to each other. Give love to Uncle, to my darling boys Aleck and Harry, to dear Winny and Louis and to Miss Julia Rush who I hope will possess her mother’s virtues. Good bye beloved again—I have written these lines on the back of dear Uncle’s pocketbook resting on my knee. If we march I may not have a chance of writing again for a few days. Goodbye—Love to all at home. God bless you my beloved,

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,3 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37