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 Bridge
Dear Wife,
I wrote to you yesterday evening. Last night we were informed shortly after midnight that a post at Kettle Run Bridge some five miles towards the Rappahannock had been surprised and captured. It proved to be so from later advices. The 20 men were guarding the bridge when they were approached about midnight by a band of rebels who moved quietly towards them. The sentry on the bridge tried to fire at them but his gun the first time did not explode the cap, the second time only exploded the cap so that he could give no warning. He then called for help. The rebels delivered a volley which awoke the men and caused them to get out the way in a hurry, some wading the creek, others gathering off in the darkness. Seven went to their camp When a new force arrived at the post it was found still in charge of the sergeant who had returned with seven other men who had got together and came back as soon as the rebels disappeared. After they got together the tents were well riddled with bullets. One man had a hole through his coat. The over coats lying on the ground were all carried off but the muskets were not. It is supposed that some more of the men will yet come in and that not more than three or four were carried off as prisoners. Today a man was arrested for gambling, he had a die in his pocket with a six on one side and fives on all the others. You would hardly suppose such transparent cheating could succeed but they say he has won a large sum of money and sent it away. He was punished by being tossed in fly (a tent covering) which is rather larger than any blanket. He was a big stout fellow about six feet high and the men seemed to enjoy it much. Some fourteen of them took it at a time and gave him a sling. Sometimes he would turn entirely over and the men who are like a set of children seemed quite tickled by it. I find that something ludicrous always has a good effect as a measure of punishment. Yesterday the cavalry patrol arrested some 6 or 7 persons living within two miles of the recent murder and they have all been on the point of going to Washington under guard but wives have been here today with their intercessions and they have prevailed. One a Mrs. Gibson Cutlet was a picture, the case of everyone was a real hardship. There was no virulence, but an expression of sympathy for the South; they had to choose between two sides, though all would like the old Unions. All had children, some very large families and aged parents and all expressed themselves openly against guerillas and murder. I think the diplomacy, the earnestness, that apprehension not to say the misery of feeling withal with much manifestation of womanly feeling and gentleness was a sight which was painfully interesting. She gained her cause and her husband and consequently not to let the little fish be kept when big ones were allowed to go all were allowed to go. They spoke of petitioning General Lee to do away with this system which only distressed them. I believe secession viragoism has about talked itself out and they now no longer assume that tone for it is only to their injury. One of our prisoners said he would hereafter come in and give notice when rebel scouts were about and Mrs. C spoke of Mosely and his men being worse than the worst marauders of either army. I got no letters from you today. The mail is rather irregular. We have nothing new from Meade. We read in the newspaper that part of the RR on the other side of the Rappahannock is taken up and that is about all we know. The day has passed clear and cold. We are all expectancy as regards the future thinking a move very probable, but know nothing. Good night dear wife. God bless and preserve you and lead us all to a happy reunion at an early day. Give love to Uncle and my beloved darlings.
Your loving husband, Alexander
Towards evening a Mr. and Mrs. Green from New York came into our lines. It seems they live at Falmouth and were now making an effort to get back. They left it last year and have had no chance as yet. A photographer too came who expects to bring his apparatus with him.
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 1 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38
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