June 10, 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 of 121st Regt P.V.
June 10, 1863

Dear Julia

No letter from you to day – I now enclose to you my resignation and my fate – You will see by the endorsements that after being approved by Chapman, Rowley & Doubleday that when it reached Reynolds it was disapproved and so it now stands- There are some reasons however which may influence him at this moment which may not always operate.It is said that the 5th Corps (Meade’s) has moved [illeg.] the Rappahannock and that he (Meade) has besides his own Corps some 4000 picked men engaged in building bridges and in other works, with a view to some movement towards Culpeper Courthouse and perhaps Gordonsville. part of the 6th Corps is now across the Rappahannock in front of us and while these movements are going on and all the army is under marching orders there are good reasons why no officer should be allowed to leave his post- It is perhaps flattery of myself to think that such a view may have governed Reynolds in disapproving my resignation. It will induce me nevertheless to try again the first chance I get- I feel no longer like a volunteer but like a prisoner with every assurance of honorable treatment from the State and Government broken and outraged. Nothing is left however but to do my duty honestly whilst I remain and to trust that God in his mercy will regard you and Uncle with my darling children with favor and protect you from all evil and danger and from any approach of it- I trust this will find you and Uncle restored to health and strength and again in the Country with all the little flock. Chapman has gone out today on picket with the 151st Regt and I am in Command in Camp- Today I had a battalion drill for a Couple of hours and found the men very very rusty. It was not much exertion to me except in giving orders which was a little difficult for want of my usual voice We number now less than 260 men present for duty and many of these are excused from drill – not a command of a Major- I think I therefore might be spared. Imbecility which often amounts to cruelty marks the Course of Govt towards this Army, if it is not our Generals doing – that we have so much tape to tie us. To get my resignation considered it had to pass through 3 clerks and 3 Generals inspections if indeed the latter ever saw it at all. You now dear wife know my fate for the present – bereft as I am of all hope of happiness which I alone look for here below in your society – I must trust that in a little while I shall have some other opportunity – which I shall most eagerly embrace. I have had no letters from home but yours and dont expect any – strange but so it is- May God bless and keep you in health and strength and happiness soon to be reunited with your ever loving husband,
Alexander
A kiss for Aleck, Harry, Julia, Winny and Louis – when I heard that De Hunter had been with you I was pleased at the dear little boy’s name.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 10 June 1863. Rush IV:30:32