Chapman Biddle
| Chapman Biddle | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 22, 1822 Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 29, 1880 (aged 68) Philadelphia |
| Buried at | Church of St. James the Less, Philadelphia |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1863 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Unit | Infantry |
| Commands held | 1st Brigade, 3rd Division 121st Pennsylvania Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Other work | Counsel |
Chapman Biddle (January 22, 1822 – December 29, 1880) was a member of the prominent Biddle family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who served as an officer in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He commanded a brigade of infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Chapman Biddle was born in Pennsylvania on January 22, 1822, and was educated in Philadelphia. He studied law, passed his bar exam, and established a private practice before the outbreak of the war.
Biddle was commissioned colonel of the 121st Pennsylvania Regiment, which was organized in Philadelphia. The regiment was mustered into the service on September 1, 1862, and joined the Army of the Potomac in October. It was held in reserve at the time of the Battle of Antietam; but it served at the Battle of Fredericksburg alongside the Pennsylvania Reserves, losing 149 casualties in an attack on the Confederate right flank. Biddle participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville in the Third Division of I Corps.
Biddle assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division before the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863. The assignment of Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds as commander of the army's left wing led to acting promotion of brigade commander Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Rowley to command of the division while Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday led the corps. Colonel Biddle led the four regiments of the brigade in the first day's fighting on McPherson's Ridge and the subsequent withdrawal to Cemetery Ridge. His report on the first day's fighting describes the brigade's fighting as taking place under heavy artillery fire. When the brigade was flanked by Confederate infantry, Biddle led an unsuccessful counterattack. Later he received a head wound from a spent Minié ball when Col. Abner Perrin's brigade attacked the brigade's fall-back position on Seminary Ridge. Biddle had his head bandaged, and then returned to his troops.
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