David Bidleman mustered into the 47th Illinois Volunteers Reorganized on March 13, 1865 and went to Mobile Bay by ship. In his letters he talked about getting the bends and mentioned that the water was salty. They apparently marched to Demopolis, Alabama where he died in June 1865 of disease. While going to Alabama he spoke of hearing the cannons in the distance and that the troop was not afraid. He even mentioned some of the men by name.

He was born in 1832 (still to be confirmed) at Rockham, Virginia, a son of Daniel Bidleman. He died June 5, 1865. The letter from John Rose looks like a form letter and includes the list of his personal effects and some other papers. He married Martha Jane Craig in Scioto, Delaware County, Ohio and moved with the Craig family to Missouri, Putnam County then on up the river to Glasford, Timber Township, Peoria County, Illinois and then onto Stark County where he eventually travels back to Illinois to enlist. He left behind a son, John Wilson Bidleman, and two daughters - Margaret and Margaret Alice.