Today in the Civil War

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Belleplains Virg

Hear Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

March 18^th 1863

Dear Julia

I am writing in my tent after retuning from Brigade did this afternoon from ½ past two to 5 Oclock I found on my return the long absent box with the 41 pair stockings [gridiron?] &c &c all in very good order for all which I was very grateful I also received one of our dear good Uncle’s letters gushing of you full of kindness to me You must thank him for it in my name I would answer it directly but that I hope he may so far indulge me as I have but little time with a good deal of writing yet to do to night and may not have time Tell Emily I have her letter of 16^th and thank her for that If she will just say in a note to Clem or Tom that she would like to be made the guardian of the children either can hand it to George Biddle who has attended to all out legal business in court. I would however suggest to her that she should name her brother John Frank or Emlen and some one of us three brothers as associates with her in the Guardianship – they may have to give some security in Court for faithful discharge of duty but George could settle that part…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 18 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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:

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains

Virg

March 16^th 1863

Dear Uncle

I received your two letters of 12^th & 13^th both of great interest to me – I write to day to Julia about whom please write to me – the event was a surprise but I am glad to hear that the new comer makes so good an appearance and trust he will behave himself creditably Julia is always so quiet about herself that I believe she never would confess an ailment if one did not perceive it clearly I did not from her letters think the young gentleman was to appear so soon.

The other letter which regards what I think a strange proposition on the part of Tom I am glad to find confirms my judgment I have written Clem a long letter on the subject which he may perhaps show to you altho: I have made no mention of you in it

I give him my reasons and ask him to go to the office daily in my behalf during my absence. He may perhaps like this but I hardly think will undertake it –

It does seem to me very strange that my brother Tom should ask his father’s son to quit the firm of Thos Biddle & Co to allow a stranger to take his place, who is to say hereafter whether he should come back or not

The result to be obtained being that he Tom should be allowed to go away to travel retaining all his share and interest in the firm –

That is the proposition as I understand it – I so not agree to it, never will.

I have always looked on the brokers business as the mere tie to the business world which kept us agog in daily matters – profitable certainly – but our greatest source of benefit is in the landed property out father had left us

If my brother Tom were calmly thinking of his best interests I think he would perceive that the real business we have is to take Care of our own but I know he wont think of the matter in this light – He has let his wife write to me and I now suppose I will soon hear something more definite from him –

If the worst Comes to the worst I might send in my resignation – that might now be accepted or if accepted might place me in an unpleasant Category – I do not fear that however with the reliance I have on my associates in arms, I believe they would sustain me even if I left them in the face of an enemy

I did not come here for fame or glory and if my duty lies at home I will try to do it there I hope the early termination of this war is soon to be at hand

Your affte nephew

A Biddle

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letter signed to his uncle. 16 March 1863. Rush IV:30:29

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:

Head Quarters 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virg

March 15. 1863

My dear dear Julia

I thank God that I hear that you are doing well. May his mercy guard and protect you and our new darling from all evil – the news was a surprise to me I wrote to you long ago about taking care of yourself but you were so quiet you always wrote so cheerfully and seemed to me so full of energy that I almost thought when I left home you had made a slight mistake. You remember I wrote to you about Mrs L and you never answered a word on the subject – You naughty girl I fear you have been playing off on me to, and making believe that there was no coming event – now I presume very distinctly visible and audible. You must as soon as you Can do it have the silver Cup of the same old pattern procured at Caldwells with the name and date from his Papa. What is the name to be – tell me what you wish and I will consent, he weighs 10 ½ lbs does he a very respectable weight for so young a gentleman – What does Miss Jule think of it him – it he confirms her in state of betweenity two above and two below – In household matters she will always form one of a triple alliance with the older or younger party. What does darling Harry think of him does he say he’s pretty or what – unbiased opinion as regards his beauty Do you remember the day we showed him the ruby and his remark, its very pretty well This dear one is dearer and I dare say prettier in Harry’s eyes than any ruby Julia how many mercies and blessings surrounds us – I hail another evidence of our heavenly father’s gentleness in his dealings with us in this new proof of his abiding protection and mercy May we so live in thankfulness and humble dependence on him that in all we think and speak and do We may endeavor to be guided by his percepts for our instruction – I see the mercy of his overruling power almost every day. Six months ago I left Philad one of seven of the Field & Staff – to night I am the only one in Camp – out of ten Captains who came out with us Three now are here and one of them is pretty low in health – have not I reason to thank him for his mercy to me have I not also for his mercy to you and our beloved little ones May he always preserve protect and keep us from evil and guide us through a righteous life in peace together to an eternity of happiness in his favor through our Savior God bless you again and again My beloved wife

Your loving

Alexander

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 15 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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:

March 14

Saturday night

Dear Wife

I this afternoon got your letter speaking of Hall – it was as your letters always are a ray of sunshine to me –

Today I hear that all leaves of absence will cease after the 18^th I cannot in any event get one unless both Colonel and Lieut Col are here and you can see that there is much reason to doubt my good fortune – It would be a great joy to me to see you and our beloved ones for a few days D.V. but we must bow submissively to his good pleasure and confide in the goodness and mercy which I feel we both greatly trust in notwithstanding not as we ought to –

I cant see any reason why Tom should not rest for two weeks three weeks or four weeks – have Mr Peale and Mr Horn to manage the Commission business and they Could occasionally report to him – If he will work himself into a fever no one can prevent him but it is as easy for him to withdraw and be quiet now as at any time – I cant perceive that making Mr. Peale or any one else a partner saves him from his anxieties he will be as feverish or even more so about their actions after he has bound himself by them as he can possibly be when not bound by them. The great mistake that my father made was in introducing Mr Swift &c &c &c into the firm and Tom now would run on the same rock Introduce a stranger and he will strive to put the means of a livelihood into his own childrens hands which now is ours by hereditary right – I have therefore said to him avoid such a step as clearly as I could through Julia Today we had a Brigade Review by out Brigadier and Doubleday – he the latter didn’t seem to think much of the whole affair nor I either – the ground poor day Cold – Our little battalion got along very well –

Tis now half past one O’clock at night – I have but little time to rest the mail goes early in the morning Remember me to Clem Good bye beloved May God bless and keep you and our little ones in health and safety to meet again through years of peace and happiness

Your loving

Alexander

Love to Uncle and Aleck Harry Julia & Winny

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 14 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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:

Thursday March 12^th 1863

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Camp near Belle plains

Virg

Dear Julia

With a slight feeling that I shall not be disturbed for the rest of the night I begin to write to you I have been so occupied and intercepted that when I desired of late to write to you I have not found that the little time I had permitted it. I am now alone with as regards the associates I had with me when I left home – the only one of Field & Staff remaining – the mercy which has followed me all the days of my life has preserved me thus far – may it still continue and restore me in peace to remain at home beloved with you – We have had lately a great deal of detailing ordering inspecting – notices to get ready &c &c &c hints at a march – supposed to be an expedition down to the lower end of this Peninsula – hints at moving towards some Southern Port &c – which come and go – the last I indeed do not want and hardly think it can be possible I have lately seen some of the new Colonels – Col Wister – Col Dana from Luzerne County near or at Wilkes barre – who is President of our Court and whom I have taken something of a fancy to Col Porter our Brigadier – a smooth tongued gentleman whom I have to day written one or two spicy letters to and find that he only transmitted to me Copies of orders he as Brigadier had received from Division Head Qrs I don’t know as yet that showing a little sensitiveness has done any harm I lately sent you a letter of Julias written in Toms behalf – it was to me a very curious epistle – it seemed to me to indicate that I could not place much reliance upon his aid in Case of Misfortune to myself – I now want to ask you if you have a large book with a statement of my various interests in property in it – also if I gave you my bundle of stacks or if I left them as I think most probable at the office…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 12 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 Belleplains

Head Qrs 121 Reg PV

March 11^th 1863

Dear Julia

I write hurriedly – Dr Ramsey and Lambdin go to day on leave to Philad – Hall left us yesterday – I am on Court M. and in charge on the ground – there is nothing particular to notice about the regiment nothing to say with the little time I have for thought but saving that I wish I were at home with you.

I am not an admirer of the Army system at all In these volunteer Camps and brigades there is much that is sheer favoritism which I find constantly interfering with regular plans of service I now close this note dear wife Trusting God will bless and help us to meet again

Your loving

Alexander

I have asked Lambdin to call on you when he returns – He is a fine young fellow of much promise whom I think very highly of in every way

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 11 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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 (excerpt):

Camp near Belleplains

Head Qrs 121 Reg P.V.

Monday March 9. ‘63

Dear Julia

I this evening rec’d your note of 6^th inst – As it always is your handwriting was a great pleasure to me – the same mail brought the enclosed note from Julia (Tom’s wife) to me – I send you my reply to it the Contents of Julia’s (Tom’s) note are to me extraordinary – I could scarce believe my eyes when I read them it almost seems to me as if he was Contemplating a sort of suicide of all his desirable business relations – You will notice my reply to it and keep the Copy. You may show both if you choose to Uncle or to Clem but keep them. To ask me to make a permanent assignment of part of my interest in my father’s business to a person outside of my family because he (my brother) wishes to go away for six months without doing anything of the sort – proposing that I shall bear the expense of the house whilst he travels reaping the profit makes me suspicious – I don’t know what had got into Tom I would like to know if he don’t still take his long drives – round the banks of the Schuylkill, out to the Paoli – if his appetite is not as good as ever.

Besides there is no occasion of so much work if it at all exists – he could work less if he does work so hard and serve his health and his money – You will however perceive what I have replied to him – I have a sort of feeling that he has some project in view not yet disclosed if so we shall soon know of it…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 9 March1863. Rush IV:30:29

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: 9excerpt):

Head Qrs 121^st Reg P.V.

Camp near Belleplains Virg

March 7^th. 1863

Dear Julia

I have your dear note of 4^th inst – How glad I am to have it If you Could only look into my heart and perceive the satisfaction and delight the sight of your handwriting gives me I do think it would please you – Today we had a Brigade Review – on wretched ground It was the first time the Regiments came together and although greenly gotten up pretty well for the Colonel Commdg Brigade. I am on a Court martial detail which meets every day at 10’Oclock AM – Tomorrow I am on a special appointment to ride over the picket line with other officers to inspect the same and besides Command the Regiment I find you know about my present to Peale & Horn I am glad you approve of it I send you their letter to me.

Mr Cowpland of the Epiphany is here – I gave him ¢50 which the Colonel returned to me by him as a Contribution to the benevolent fund of the church. Do you approve of it – He and a Mr Bingham of Venango are to have service tomorrow in out Camp- Mr Cowpland came down to see his sons in one of the Companies and tells me the Epiphany is doing very well and that Mr Newton’s lectures are as well attended as Mr Brooks – Dear Jule I have flattered myself that it might please out heavenly father to let us meet again if the Colonel and Lt Col return soon – but I am inclined to think that if weather permits some movement will soon be made I give to Don who takes this two watches My own which I received by Etting does so well that I don’t think I shall want the others they are better at home than with me…

Citation: Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), autograph letters signed to Julia Williams Rush Biddle. 7 March1863. Rush IV:30:29