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)
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Camp at Paoli Mills Culpeper
County Virg Sunday Dec 13. 1863
Dear Wife
Last night we had an exceedingly violent rain which was several times repeated. I expected to be overflowed or find some inconvenience but found none. The morning came with a beautiful rainbow to one always a sign of promise of better days to come. It was so at Gettysburg. I rode to visit the sick with the Dr at the Division Hospital and passed through the three large tents with beds on each side. These tents are warmed by underground flues covered with railroad iron. The fire outside at one end the chimney outside at the other. The heated iron warming the tents from end to end in hospital is to me always a dismal sight but it should teach us how great our thankfulness should be to the giver of all good for the blessings we enjoy even when we are desolate as I feel now. I am gradually getting my papers together and open soon to send in all my documents to the ordinance office. Don’t forget to send me three or four five cent internal revenue stamps for affidavits in your letters. I fear to speak of future prospects, to dwell on hopes as yet entirely uncertain but yet I have a trust under the blessing of Providence and hope I shall be able to return to you before a movement is projected. You will probably see Chapman soon. I could send you no message by him. How could I say anything under the circumstances I have felt too depressed. I certainly did envy his good fortune but yet am very glad that he is free. Give love to our little darlings and dear wife may every blessing surround you and dear uncle and lead us soon again together never to part. I took a short ride today to get acquainted with the ground about the Camp. The Dr and I are tent mates now. There is nothing that I know of to say which can be of much interest all my thoughts are how to get back to you again.
Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 13 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38
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