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 near Paoli Mills
Culpeper County Virg
Monday December 7th 1863
Dear Wife
I wrote to you about our arrival here yesterday. We had an exceedingly cold night last night. The coldest I think that I have endured since I have been in the army. But to day the sun was warm and during the hours of midday it was comfortable. Every thing seems in a state of uncertainty. It would seem from articles in the northern press that there was a determination to force this army into a general conflict in opposition to the opinions and counsels of its leaders.
It is my belief that if Lee were to attack this wing at Centerville or indeed in any position which it would take up and deliberately intrench that he would be whipped. Lee has never met us in an ordinary field where we arrived without some previous preparations on either side without getting rather the worst of it
Now to what seems to be expected of us is to attack the best General of the South in a carefully selected position with every natural advantage strengthened by the skill and experience of the ablest and most practical officers of the Country the rebel position on the south bank and beyond the Rapidan is on the side of a range of hills approached over flat land at their base. A creek (Mine Run) winds along this base by means of dams made about five feet deep and much of its shores for a long distance converted into muddy marsh
On the slope of the hills beyond lines of felled trees with the points downward going side by side and across each other form the abattis which in itself might puzzle an active man axe in hand at his leisure to get through. Beyond are rebel breastworks with plenty of men well covered taking aim at any adversary on the plain beyond for a third of a mile, in the creek and beyond the abattis. In short the chances against our carrying such a position are about 20 to one against us without regarding the advantage they have in a well appointed artillery in well selected ground. If Halleck would try it just long enough to have his ears humming with the reception that awaits us I think we should hear no more of hesitancy on the part of our Generals or inactivity of the army or if he will undertake to take care of Washington and let this army go the road its Generals would like to take. The public would soon find as they have found when the orders from Washington were unequal to the emergency that it could save the country and move and fight as no army has ever fought before. This is my view and I think the feeling of the army. An Army to which nothing but the mercy of Providence and its inherent energy under its leaders has saved from the effects the repeated effects of Washingtons folly.
Please send me dear wife two five cent internal revenue stamps in your next letter. We are now waiting future events they are making a Corduroy road east and west along the front of the army and some think we may make another advance I think not under any reasonable leader. Some think that after remaining here a few days to give the rebels a chance to meet us. Which I think unwise that we will then move to the other side of the Rappahannock & I think it would be well to go a good deal further and recruit drill & reform fragmentary battalion for next year. I trust that Providence in his all wise decrees will yet have mercy in store of us and soon grant us a return of peace harmony and union and also may you and I and all the little ones so dearly loved be spared for many years of happiness with the dear Uncle. Good night dear wife may God bless you
Your loving husband
Alexander
Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle,7 December 1863. Rush IV:30:38