Letter Grouping 25th Infantry Wisconsin Couple & Illinois Brother

Whispers from the Home Front and the Battlefield: A Civil War Family's Letters

Imagine holding in your hands the intimate thoughts and daily realities of a family torn apart by the American Civil War. This extraordinary letter group offers a poignant and deeply personal glimpse into the lives of Lucien Parce, a young Wisconsin volunteer in the 25th Infantry, his loving wife Sarah (nee Weir), and their extended family, including Lucien's brother George, who served with the 44th Illinois Infantry, and Sarah's brother Robert.

This isn't just a collection of paper; it's a tapestry woven with threads of love, duty, fear, and resilience during one of the nation's most tumultuous periods. Spanning pre-war affections to the harsh realities of military service and the profound grief of loss, these 55 original letters and documents, alongside transcriptions and photocopies, offer an unfiltered window into the lives of ordinary people caught in the extraordinary circumstances of the Civil War.

Lucien and Sarah's correspondence paints a vivid picture of a young marriage blossoming in the years leading up to the conflict. Married in 1859 in rural Wisconsin, their tender exchanges, addressing each other with heartfelt terms like "Dear Wife" and "Beloved Companion," speak volumes of their deep affection. Their letters would have been lifelines during Lucien's service, carrying not only news but also the vital emotional sustenance needed to endure separation and uncertainty. The mention of their daughter, Emma Rebecca, born in 1860, adds another layer of emotional depth, highlighting the young family Lucien fought to protect.

Lucien's journey with the 25th Wisconsin Infantry placed him directly in the heart of the Western Theater, including participation in the crucial Siege of Vicksburg (1863). This pivotal campaign, aimed at controlling the Mississippi River, was a turning point in the war, effectively splitting the Confederacy. Lucien's letters from the field would have provided Sarah with firsthand accounts (albeit sometimes delayed and censored) of the arduous conditions, the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers, and the ever-present dangers of war. Tragically, like so many soldiers, Lucien succumbed not to battle wounds but to disease in Memphis, Tennessee, in August 1863, at the young age of 27. His final resting place in a Memphis National Cemetery stands as a solemn testament to the war's devastating toll on families.

Meanwhile, Lucien's brother George served with the 44th Illinois Infantry. Joining the Union Army in the fall of 1861, his service potentially extended to the end of the war. Though records might be incomplete, his letters within this collection would offer a parallel perspective on the war, perhaps highlighting the experiences of a soldier in a different regiment and potentially different campaigns.

Adding another dimension to this family saga are the earlier correspondences between Sarah Weir and her brother Robert. A transcript of a letter from Robert, seemingly serving in a Naval unit and writing from Ireland in 1856, hints at a family with wider horizons and perhaps even divided loyalties or at least different paths during this era of national upheaval. A photo potentially depicting Robert in his naval uniform further enriches this narrative.

The meticulous transcription of these letters by a history professor underscores their historical value. These documents offer invaluable insights into the daily lives of soldiers and their families, the challenges faced by those on the home front, the logistical realities of war (discussions of food and money), and even the anxieties of the time, such as the fear of Indian incursions in Minnesota.

This remarkable letter group, preserved with care in individual sleeves, invites the winning bidder to become the next custodian of these poignant stories. Imagine reorganizing these letters chronologically, piecing together the unfolding drama of a family navigating the complexities of the Civil War. What new understandings of this pivotal period will emerge from these intimate exchanges? This is more than a collection; it's a direct connection to the human heart amidst the turmoil of a nation in conflict.

This item will be lot #1095 in our Upcoming Civil War Auction on May 3 at Donley Auctions.