December 19, 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:

December 19, 1863

Camp near Paoli Mills, Saturday December 19^th, 1863

Dear Wife

Today I received by mail the waistcoat which is exactly what I wanted and I am very much obliged for it Nothing has been doing today I have had a little stack of wood cut for Sunday’s consumption and in case a wet day should follow everything goes on with the usual army routine of drill and dress parade – the cold weather has begun to dry the ground and we can get about from place to place with rather more ease than within the last two days I feel very disconsolate in my position however much I may esteem those around me there is no one here with whom I have the slightest association beyond army connection excepting Dorr – In this respect I think the lot of a Regimental Commander is in some respects harder than that of Company Commander for I have never formed any special personal attachment to any particular set or company of men, because I am not except as a supervisor of Company Commanders necessarily brought into contact with them – my hardship would be nothing however were it not that all my thoughts hopes and interests take me towards home the privilege of visiting which seems now so distant to me for unless I can leave the army forever there is little use in a 10 day leave which means scarcely a look at home. – I will send Trans back on the first opportunity, he is perfectly well but conveyance for horses is only granted of officers permanently going away from it not to an officer leaving it temporarily – you see that I cannot therefore send him home nor could anyone get him home by coming for him I asked Hall to take one of my horses home and we then found he couldn’t take him – I shall bear it in mind for the first clearance that I get I come again to the last little glimpse of pleasure on another day – the writing to you – It is a happiness even in this way to turn towards those I love although I cannot help feeling that the greatest trials I have endured in service comes from what seems to me petty tyranny – but there is a power above who rules all things well and I trust and hope I shall be released from my imprisonment for such the army has become to me – I will not ask Uncle to speak to Tom I have as you will perceive in the copy of my letter sent to you asked to leave all my private papers sent to him in a box I can write again – the books must be balanced at the end of the year and I expect I shall hear before that from him. – Good night dear wife. We have great reasons to thank our heavenly father for all his mercies to us and I trust he will bless my hopes by returning me soon to you all Love to Uncle and our darlings Your loving husband Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 19 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38