November 14, 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

Saturday, November 14 1863

Dear Wife,

I have nothing particular to note to day. After a fine mild day it is now raining and we have had for a short time a very severe rain with thunder and lightning. Some cavalry are now in the woods opposite to us and we feel entirely easy as regards any assault but the darkness of the nights and the weather is very favorable to any attempt to displace raids or try in a culvert without a guard near at hand. Today I walked out about a mile with our surveyors and took a view of the Cavalry. It is very favorable to marauding operations. We saw one of our own Cavalry pickets and came upon a house with one of our guards at it. His force we now have though not exceeding 200 bayonets is I believe sufficient for its purpose. We hear that Meade and [Newton?] are both in Washington, the one I think to get explicit instructions from Halleck, or rather to get Halleck to assume the responsibility of failure if his orders are carried out to the letter. The other goes to look after his nomination as Major General which he effects to get the Senate to confirm. I look for Meade to be the next decapitated and indeed now that I see the Richmond papers acknowledge a defeat at the Rappahannock, Lee himself may lose his favor. They have nothing to rejoice on of late. Certainly they have tried to turn the tables on us and have entirely failed. You will see an account of the capture of some laborers at Noker Station about 4 miles distant that is guarded by our brigade but not by my regiment or men for this I thank their good fortune. If we go into Winter quarters soon I shall try to get home even if there is but little chance of resigning. May I ask you to send to me by mail a pair or two (not more) of stout woolen stockings- to come halfway up to the knee and the foot to be not over 10 ½ inches long. I am nearly out. I think Meade’s report of Gettysburgh will soon make a stir and that there will be quarrelling and each General will finally tell his own story in his own way. Our Philad—Historical Society has offered a reward for the best account of the battle. If they were to collect and publish in a volume the reports of Regimental and other commanders they could easily get them and it would be a better history than any one could write. Have you seen a book on Japan published by Harper’s/ I think it would interest you. Good night dear wife May Heaven surround you with its choicest blessings and sanctify to you and our darlings all the care of our little ones. Give love to Uncle and to brother Clem. I feel as if I were dreadfully stupid but have nothing to interest me so much as thoughts of home which are present to my mind night and day. I wish you could see our tent with one half its front blocked up by a brick chimney which we have built which closes up half our front and it a comfortable fireplace and has several times made our tent too warm. The rain is now over but it set us nearly afloat at one time. I hear the Locomotives puffing away on the road and trains yet passing down. I always rise now at each dawn to see that the road is patrolled before the cars begin to run. Good night dear wife God bless and preserve you and lead us safe to meet each other never to part at an early day.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,14 November 1863. Rush IV:30:37