December 18, 1862: Letter to Julia Williams Rush Biddle

Transcript:

My dear young friend,

I have read accounts of the recent battles in Virginia with a trembling heart and thankful eye. I read the long list of killed and wounded in apprehension. I truly thank my God and Father, that your loved husband has escaped, a “thousand shall fall at thy side, and two thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee”—“For he shall give his angels charge over thou, to keep thee in all thy ways” is I believe true of him. May the God of all power and grace continue to watch over your loved husband and restore him in health and safety to your prayers of gratitude is my daily petition to the Throne of Grace.

I have finished but three pairs of socks for your precious husband which I send as an opportunity offers. By His Grace, the rest shall follow if I am spared. I have ribbed the socks. I hear eng. gentleman say they liked them better so, if your husband prefers them plain please let me know.

I thank you cordially for your sweet note of the 22^nd as I did not look for such a generous effort from you, knowing how wholly engrossed your energies and heart are by your important duties and  separation from your beloved partner. I appreciated your thoroughness and felt that you even and will be sustained by Him who alone can give the [praise?] which the world can neither give nor take away and my earnest my daily prayer is that our Savior God may continue to supply the Holy Spirit to create in your trembling heart confidence to dispel fear and carry every impulse of the Soul to His Throne.

Kiss your darlings for me present me in friendship to your excellent Uncle Mr and Mrs J Biddle and family. I wrote to your  sweet sister Emily a few days since, share with her my love. Believe me my dear Mrs Biddle that I carry your joys and sorrows in my heart as my own and that I am more aptly your friend

(signature)

Please to do remember me aff[]ly to Mrs Chasserman, Mrs James Biddle, and Mrs Palmer

34 Washington Sqr

Dec 18^th, 1962

34 Washington Sqr

Dec 18^th 1862

Citation: Julia Williams Rush Biddle, recipient; Philadelphia, 18 December 1862. Rush IV:32:26