August 29, 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 (excerpt):

Camp at Rappahannock Station

August 29. 1863 Saturday

Dear Julia

I have today your letter of 26^th inst – How happy the little darlings must be making mud pies on the sandy beach I am delighted to hear they are well but you must tell Miss Julia Papa would be very sorry to see her hand looking like a scrubbing brush when she looked so nicely the last time he saw her – Papa hopes he may some day see her as sweet and lovely as ever – Your letter was a great gratification to me it has been the greatest heat for some days – I told you I think of Gov Carter coming down to Bealeton and the sword presentation to Meade Today had passed as usual the day perhaps a little cooler but nothing doing in the camps – We begun to talk of cold weather and certainly the nights are much colder than they have been – I think you had better get the box from [Etting?] for I scarcely think he will come back for a long time perhaps not for a month at any rate you can get early notice of any likelihood of his departure – I am patiently awaiting General Newton’s action on my objectionable document – I have always spoken what I thought rather unreservedly but I don’t think he can justly find fault with it – however that may be I have yet to let it take its course Today we had good news from Charleston but not so good as we hoped for – We are so anxious to see the serpent’s head crushed I think the taking of their city and stronghold would be everything for us – Today five deserters were shot – all belonging to the 118^th Penn Reg…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 29 August 1863. Rush IV:30:34