December 14, 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 of the 121 Reg. V

December 14^th 1863 Monday

Dear Wife

Your letter of 12^th came today. You of course know that Chapman is at home once again free. I don’t think writing to Thayer would do me much good at present but a time may come when he might help. I shall keep him in mind and write to Uncle when I think his actions may have an effect. It is very kind in Uncle to be so thoughtful of helping me. I rode round the picket today with McCalmont and stopped at Kenly’s a strange man he is. He speaks of being sorry for Chapman’s going but the general impression is that he didn’t want a good successor so near at hand. There is talk of peace armistice commissioners and so on but government will not of course be deluded thereby but how I do wish it would please God to permit it to come to pass. I am sorry that Clem still finds himself in such a fix. He gets his accounts every 30^th June 31^st December from the office and can of course see in either if anything from mothers of or Biddle’s Estate has been credited to him. I do wish I could be at home at Christmas but I fear I cannot short of some marvelous blessing. I shall now patiently strive to get away from this in every way in my power trusting that God in his mercy will guide me to what is best for me and us all. Should it please him to lead me once home again. I shall hang up the sword forever and never leave you more. Oh how I miss you and how every thought of happiness to come turns me towards you. What the dear little ones must have become in my absence. I trust it has pleased God to permit them to increase in goodness through your cares as I know you make the effort and generally succeed when you try. Tom has not replied to my letters as yet. He must have received it but he doesn’t answer. I continue of the same mind and will soon write him again. I have already written to know if he has decided about any plan of action. I don’t see that he can do anything else. I feel that I have much to be grateful for and would be very glad to be away from the army to turn again with you to the observance of some of the religious duties which no day of rest in the army seriously interferes with but again may our heavenly father soon in mercy lead us together.

Your loving husband

Alexander

Love to Uncle and our little darlings.

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 14 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38