October 2, 1863: Alexander Biddle letter 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)

October 2 was a Friday, not a Thursday, so Biddle got either the day or the date wrong

Transcript:

can you send me a bunch of envelopes by post?

Camp near Raccoon Ford

Oct 2d 1863, Thursday

Dear Wife,

I yesterday wrote to dear Uncle thanking him for the [Siphonia?] he has so kindly lent me- It is admirably adapted to the field. Today Kenly was reinstated in his command and we left Div Head Qts to return to the Brigade. It has been raining hard all the day and the shifting of the tents and unpitching them has all been done in the rain– the ground in some places being pretty well flooded. It is now eight O’clock at night and we have got things again partially to rights and are not uncomfortable. Today there was an execution in the Second division of our Corps within sight of our Hd Qts. The troops passed us going to and coming back from it and for a moment I saw the long lines of the three sides of the Square and guessed their import but no more- although I could see the curious army attendants moving towards it. I now may tell you about our unfortunate Div Commander Kenly- drink is his failing and he knows and his commander knows and we all know that he has this abominable vice—he has talents and fine qualities and I believe under promises of abstinence another chance is before him.- for this he may thank Chapman to whom he is certainly very much indebted for the delicacy of his behavior under the peculiar relations of their mutual position. We found him at his own Hd Qts scarcely a free agent. Indeed there were others near by on his staff who were mere watch dogs to catch him should he make a misstep, and who have got into relations with him which they feel will either break him or them. I hope for his sake he will be able to sustain himself. Is it not strange that a Colonel of the Reg. should succeed firstly to Brigade and secondly to Div Command by reason of the removal of both officers for the same charge. Our Corps Commander too is not invulnerable and he knows it, although he is much of a soldier and a West Pointer. Drink—whiskey is the bane of the army and I think I would now name at least eight or ten young men who will never be able to master the taste they have acquired for it. I give you a pretty picture of army life, Do I not? There is however Providence above which rules our destinies even when we are our greatest enemies ourselves. I hope that it will never be a vice at our Head Qts where its influence has not yet been felt. The heavy rain of today must have pretty well filled the Rapidan and put an end temporarily to the idea of attempting a crossing. So we shall remain quiet for a few days yet to come. I do not think that either Don or Etting are likely to be returned to the Regiment certainly during this year the idea of our getting any drafted men has passed away. I don’t know why- but the men don’t seem to come from the drafts—Our little Regiment looks very very small—a mere hundred of men. I should not be surprised if after a while some position nearer Washington should be taken up—after the elections are over. Tell me if you ever hear anything of the Hankeys from anyone. Write to me about Mollie and her little ones whenever you hear anything of them. Good night dear Wife. May God bless and preserve us all to meet again in happiness and health at an early day never more to past. Love to Uncle and our darlings

Your loving husband

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle, 2? October 1863. Rush IV:30:36