December 5, 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 Bridge

Dear Wife,

Yesterday passed quietly enough. One cavalry patrol captured two prisoners, one a private in the 4^th Virginia Cavalry [illeg.] in the [home?] of Clinton Columbus [Colvin?] He said he had been about on a 10 d furlough and got home the night before he was captured. His captain was a Randolph and his Colonel Wm Wickham. He was armed and was a good deal surprised. Told us the 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd Virginia were Lee’s brigade and that Stewart had about 8000 Cavalry but was pretty badly off for horse shoes. The other man had been wounded in the first Bull Run and was not entirely recovered yet. Yesterday we got orders to be ready to move and today are ordered to Paoli Mills on the other side of the Rappahannock but I think it very likely we should keep our positions on the Rappahannock. There seems to have been no result from all the late marching &c &c and not much fighting. The 5^th Corps which relieves us is passing by this morning and the officers tell us the rebel position was too strong to attempt it. There seems to be an idea that Longstreet has joined Lee and that we may in our future expect an advance of the Rebels, but I think the war force is pretty much over for the present, although there may be some affairs of out posts. Today is beautifully bright and clear and the ground firm and hard again. I am very anxious to get an opportunity to see you again and at the first halt I shall set to work to take measures to send in my new resignation. We suspect to march sometime today but it may not be for an hour or two yet. I do think the Gen has managed this army very badly. Constantly calling upon it to do impossibilities and fearing to permit its officers to adopt any plans of their own because Washington might be perilled. I hear that there is some disagreement between Meade & Newton. I have no confidence in Kenly and I think this is the feeling of the Division. How can an army do anything when its component parts are discordant? May God bless you dear wife and preserve you and all our dear ones, to long life health and happiness in this world and the next. Give love to uncle.

Your loving husband, Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 5 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38