November 13, 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 Cedar Run Ridge

1863 Nov 13^th Friday

Dear Wife,

I again write a few lines to you. Today after much solicitation, a detail of 50 additional men were sent over here which enables us to do the duty of guarding the post more thoroughly than before. We have nothing new but see Meade’s report of Gettysburg in the papers. I think it will bring out all the General’s Reports and we will have a pretty mess of the matter. I hardly think that Meade has given Reynolds any part of the credit he fully deserved. I believe it was to his genius and skill that success was chiefly owing and I thought Meade would so speak but I fear he has forgotten a good deal. I see he has gotten a little into the speech making line and I really think his head is a little turned. I have no doubt he would [run?] his army against any barrier he felt orders etc to assault but I don’t think that is Generalship. He has done marvelously well but I fear a little for him. I don’t think he knows himself, what he would be at Winter is coming on a pace and soon something must take place. I hope it may be for good. I have put down these few hundred lines, dear Wife, and sent you two photographs of officers Lieut [French?] and Lieut [Hoberton] to put along with others which I have sent home. If you have any spare ones of me send me some. Goodnight beloved God bless and preserve you and grant us an early return to each other. Love to Uncle and our dear Children. God bless you,

your loving husband,

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,13 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37