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
Tuesday Dec. 8th 1863
Dear Wife
Nothing from home to day. To day I rode round the picket line of the Corp with the Colonel connecting with the 2nd Corps on the right and extending round to Kelly’s ford and the Rappahanock. We had a good deal of rough riding across Country and through pine woods in search of different Head Qrs but at last got the lines connected and rode from end to end of them. At the point where we struck the Rappahanock we came upon the Commencement of a battery on the top of a high hill in a position to enfilade the batteries we expected to Command the flats beyond Kelly’s ford when we last lay there. The work had apparently been just commenced and soon afterwards discontinued possibly because we had marched in the night. It took us from 10 0’clock in the morning until 4 O’clock in the afternoon to get round our tour of duty so you may suppose it was a pretty long ride. Today we have ascertained that Chapman’s resignation has been approved by Kenly and Newton. It now requires approval by Meade or the Department to go through. He will I think get it and then I shall be forlorn for although I shall beg I can hardly promise myself success after my repeated failures nevertheless I shall try and try again and try again and trust that Providence will grant me success. I hear to day that the regulars (the 14th) who relieved us at Catletts had one of their pickets killed by guerillas the night after we were there, We feared they would experience some mischief from what we saw of them but I am sorry to hear of it. Last night it was very cold and I have just enough clothing to keep me fairly warm but have managed to do. I have been making preparations to send in my resignation papers and trust to hear of Chapman’s success and forward mine in a few days (I must wish him success whether I fail or not.) Sometimes think of writing to Frank Blair to see if he cannot help me but don’t much like so to do. If I didn’t succeed I intend immediately afterwards to ask for a leave of absence and trust one or the other will go through. I feel as if I have in many respects been very badly treated and shall be most heartily glad to quit the political army the moment I can. In the meantime I hope for the best and trust the Sovereign ruler of all good will so dispose events as to pass our wishes and still extend to us that mercy which has blessed our paths in life in so many countless ways. Send to the dear little ones my loved wife and to Uncle and all at home I almost think the children will be grown out of recollection should I soon see them.
Your loving husband,
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 8 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38
.…
ñýíêñ çà èíôó!…