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:
In Camp of 121 Regt P.V.
Saturday June 13th 1863
Somewhere near Deep Run
Dear Julia
We moved to this point yesterday, marching early yesterday morning and Continuing it with occasional stoppages up the Warrenton Turnpike to this point, supposed to be about 22 miles – the day was exceedingly hot and I at first did not Know how I should stand it but by keeping at the head of the Column so as to avoid the dust I got along very well and do not today feel either the worse for heat or dust. The most striking incident of the day was about three miles from here when General Meade and staff (our former Division General) came riding down the road – someone in the leading Company as he came up Cried three cheers for General Meade and our weary way-worn soldiers gave such a shout as I never heard them give before – it seemed to be a spontaneous burst from every throat upon the recognition of their old General. Meade stopped, turned back and the Colonel and I rode out and shook hands with him – It must have been a very gratifying thing to the General. Tom Biddle rode into our Camp the day before yesterday evening with Col Langhorne Wister and took tea with us, he gave us some slight information and that evening was tired, yesterday he rode with us and Wister alternately and finally went off with his brother James whom we met about four miles away from here near Meade’s Head Qrs- Chapman & I rode over with James and John Williams and lunched with Jim- it was very refreshing for we were very hungry and after it I felt much revived James Biddle has got to be enormous without being fat but is the most powerful looking officer I have seen for some time. We are now writing letters home during a few spare minutes – we have been up since 20′ of three o’clock and are ready waiting order to sling knapsacks and march. Until Chapman rejoined the Regiment on the march yesterday I had been in Command for a Couple of days and had to sentence three men for gambling – they were detected in the act and their money $40. – forfeited for the benefit of their Companies besides a loss of $5. each of their monthly pay by my order. You would I suppose think this a pretty severe punishment when they only get $13 [illeg.] month from the US, but one of them had $75 in addition which he secreted in his stocking – I give this as a little incident of Camp life. I have not beloved had a letter from you now for four days and am fearful of Uncle’s health and your own endurance – how heartily I wish to be with you and share with you the trials you so nobly bear it is not in my power to express – but I do so, and still am looking forward to an early chance of getting my resignation accepted. I think perhaps when the army gets to be in a more quiescent state I shall have a chance. It has changed from an offensive Army into a defensive one – our present move being merely an effort to Keep within striking distance of the enemy when the[y] march northward – if they do so. The Cavalry attack the other day is said to have been brilliant although I fear it has cost us Major Morris, Geo [M?] Wharton’s son in law. It is supposed to have checked Stuarts intended raid on the Pennsylvania RR for the time. God bless and preserve you dear wife and grant dear Uncle an early restoration to health and strength – May our dear little ones be preserved to us in health, strength and goodness. In the hope through Gods mercy of an early reunion,
Your loving
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 13 June 1863. Rush IV:30:32