December 16, 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)

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Camp at Paoli Mills

Dec 16^th 1863

Dear Wife

We hear today that corduroy roads have been built on both sides of the RRs and the Quarter Master’s department has been ordered to cease putting up stables. This indicates a move we believe in retreat to a position nearer to Washington. Since we left the railroad line the Corps in charge of it has been building Roads and we also hear they have had three more killed and some twenty captured by Guerillas. One Colonel wounded in the arm. I think our little force did some what better and we had much fewer men. Time wears on and I see no change of prospects at present. We have today rumors of the 1st and 6^th Corps being sent to Georgia but I hear of no change in orders as to furloughs or leaves of absence.

I still live in hopes that the darkest hour of our separation is past and that I may soon hope for a day of dawn but it has not yet come. We have just built stables for horses got ready for inspections on the 18^th and are moderately comfortable.

God Bless you all and lead us soon together again

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 16 December 1863 Rush:IV:30:38