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 near Paoli Mills
December 11th 1863
Dear Wife
We have had another day of usual character rather gloomy with a little rain and nothing to vary the monotony of life in quarters-We are to intents and purposes prepared for winter quarters but I can hardly think that we shall really stay here unless the Southern Confederacy is tottering more than I imagine. We hear that leaves of absences are likely to be granted and some of our officers have already got them. This life is most stupid and profitless productive of no good and exposed to much of evil. If one had a goodly number of men so that one could have an interest and pride in the regiment it would be something but we have too few a number of men to make a great deal of them. I have been reading today the messages and reports and am quite surprised at the cool manner in which all the military operations of the War Department & Cabinet are indirectly shoved on to the General’s of the Army of the Potomac. Lieut Jungerich of our Reg. goes to Phila. Tomorrow on leave and will call to see you. I have asked him so to do. I believe his father lives in the Brown Stone house next to Vanderkemp’s old house. I have heard nothing from Tom yet. Good night dear wife, may God bless keep and preserve you all and dear uncle.
Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 11 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38
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tnx!!…
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