November 17, 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 at Cedar Run Ridge

Tuesday November 17, 1863

Dear Wife,

Another day has passed away without any material change. We heard this evening that eight laborers some three miles up the road were directed by an armed mounted man to leave their work and were marched into the woods. He sent one back telling him to bring their sugar & coffee or he would shoot one of them. The laborer did so but met the patrol who followed him cautiously on parallel lines. They got within about 300 yards of the captor who the officer in charge of the patrol thinks must have been told by his captives of their coming, for he fled. The men were recovered but the guerrilla was not taken. We are told that some three or four stragglers have been found murdered between that(?) and the Rappahannock. I don’t much credit these stories but the inhabitants of the country have no profitable industry to sustain them as long as they espouse secession and therefore degenerate into thieves and robbers. We hear that the Commissary post is to be removed to Rappahannock station which looks like a probable move in that direction. I asked you in my last to send me a stout pair of woolen stockings by mail. You may make it two pair and put up a tooth brush with it if you think of it– also a pair of common beaver gloves about no. 9– If they fit Mr. Farmer, Clem or any one they will answer for me. I don’t know that I want anything else. It seems to night as if we were to have a snap of cold weather again. Our little fire is burning very cosily in our charming place and makes us comfortable. Here is a view of the front of our tent from the inside. One half closed up with brick work and the fire place with chimney outside– one half of the front or entrance of the tent ties to the tent pole in front height like a sail, the other half is gathered back like a curtain and tied and all the aperture so left is filled up by our fire place built close up and partially into the tent so that we are as tightly shut in on that side as many other. All the rest of the staff have followed the example. We now have milk every day for breakfast. The late Commander of Brigade had two cows which were driven along with the herd and are still left with it. In our tent we each have two planks set up on a crosspiece set on crotches on these planks our blankets are spread our for beds–our saddles are on crotches at the foot of each bed. Chapman has a luxury in a pillow. I have the little carpet bag you lately sent me in lieu thereof. In this you have pretty much all our comforts and luxuries. Gen. Kenly came over here to day and told us his Provost guard had introduced the punishment of tossing in a blanket and that it had a very beneficial influence upon refractory men. We find that some punishment which provokes or excites the ridicule of an offender’s companions is generally the best. Tell me what is Richard Rush doing– entre nous– I fear he is gradually descending in the military scale. I perceive that he is now likely to have some Bureau or Department position in the invalid corps– this strikes me as meaning that he is to be a salaried Govt clerk under the Provost Marshall General or Adj General. Do you ever hear of Louis A Scott– I had read to me the arrival in Washington of Colonel Louis A Scott. Could it be him? Is he in any actual service or has he a regiment at home or is it a traveling title-? Do you hear anything of Ella Potestud and Emily Chapman-? How are they doing-? We have just had a surgeon C F Brisbane stopping to inquire the manner of getting to General Meade’s Head Quarters. I presume one of the New York Tribune tribe from his name. Good night dear wife Bless our little darlings and ask them to write to Papa. Give love to Uncle and tell me about all your cares and troubles. Good night, your loving husband, Alexander

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Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 17 November 1863 Rush:IV:30:37