The Forgotten Story of Two Union Soldier Brothers
Lakes Region Curation has had the opportunity to partner with Ryan Curley, a native of Marshfield, Massachusetts who stumbled upon an incredible story of two brothers-in-law, Allyne Litchfield & Lucius Carver, who fought side-by-side for the Union Army during the Civil War. The story, a touching, yet heart-wrenching reality of war, is just beginning to unfold.
LRC has been brought in to help transcribe the hundreds of letters from Allyne and Lucius during their time in the Civil War and beyond. Sydney has been named Chief Curator & Historian of The Carver-Litchfield Project, as well as the Lead for the Transcription Tema, and has collaborated with Ryan on a blog post, originally posted on Ryan’s Substack which is linked here, but is also pasted below.
If you want more information on the beginning of this project, Part One of The Carver-Litchfield Project can be found here. Additionally, you can subscribe to Ryan’s Substack to stay up to date on our progress, as well as check back here on our site for more updates on this and any other projects that Lakes Region Curation has going on!
Cheers!
Sydney
Thanks for checking in on the project. For those who have kept up to date, welcome back! For those who are new here, thank you for taking the time to explore this unique story from our shared history. We are looking forward to bringing you along for the historical adventure this has become.
I will begin with a brief recap of the project’s origins, background, and where things stood per the last article:
This project began when I was walking my dog, Rio, through a cemetery in my hometown of Marshfield, Massachusetts. I stumbled upon the gravestones of two Union soldiers, Lucius Carver and Allyne Litchfield, brothers-in-law who fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War. That discovery sparked a deep dive into their lives, leading me to uncover hundreds of letters they wrote during the war, alongside correspondence from Allyne’s wife and Lucius’s sister, Susan Litchfield.
Lucius and Allyne served in the 7th Michigan Cavalry, fighting in major battles like Gettysburg and the Shenandoah Valley Campaigns. Their letters detail the raw, unfiltered realities of war, including battlefield chaos, leadership struggles, and even thoughts on Lincoln’s presidency. Allyne’s responses to Susan’s letters add a rare and powerful female perspective, capturing pieces of what life was like on the home front, raising a child alone while her husband was at war.
I am not a historian by training. I have an MBA and work in marketing, but I have approached this like any other project, with a focus on research, teamwork, and storytelling. With support from Tim Collins of Hands on History, we have built a dedicated team of young historians who are helping piece together a narrative that blends personal stories with historical context.
This project is not just about preserving the past. It is about making history feel real and relevant today, showing the human cost of national division, and creating new ways to connect people with the past. Eventually, we hope to share this story with the world through a major platform like Netflix. For now, we are focused on uncovering more letters and sharing our findings along the way.
Meet the team
Prior to diving in on the most recent findings and happenings from the project, I am honored to introduce you to the brilliant and creative minds that are the lifeblood of this project. Meet Sydney, Isaac, and Lenny.
Sydney Lagace is the CEO and Founder of Lakes Region Curation, and we are proud to call her Chief Curator and Historian of the Carver Litchfield Project. Sydney has not followed the traditional historian’s path. Instead, she has leaned fully into the entrepreneur’s journey as she recently founded Lakes Region Curation, a one-stop shop for historical projects and curation. Sydney and I met through Hands on History as she was curating their private collection. Upon forming our partnership with Hands on History for this project, they enthusiastically introduced us, and she fit right in. We are thrilled to have her on board.
Isaac Burgdorf is a creative, compassionate individual who brings great energy to our team. Isaac currently works full-time at the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, where the letters from this project are currently held. In addition to being a full-time employee of the Clements and a University of Michigan alumnus, Isaac is proud to be the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Bixby Marionette Project. Isaac is always quick to identify and connect with the raw emotion and human moments that Lucius, Allyne, and Susan share in their letters.
Lenny Fritz is the youngest member of our team, but do not let his age fool you. This is not his first rodeo, and by rodeo, we mean a project diving into primary source documents from the American Civil War. A second-semester junior at Hillsdale College in Michigan, Lenny balances a full-time student schedule with transcribing for this project and being a dedicated member of the Hillsdale Mock Trial team. This Mock Trial team proudly holds titles such as third in the nation and 2024 NCT runners-up. Lenny and I met after I posted a blurb looking for transcribers on the Reddit page r/CIVILWAR. Lenny was quick to answer my post, and we are all glad he did.
Now that you have met the full team, let’s dive in.
Message from our Chief Curator and Historian
Hi, everyone! As Ryan mentioned, my name is Sydney Lagace and I am the founder of Lakes Region Curation, a small business centered around making research and curatorial services available to anyone in the community. I am so glad to be a part of this project as the Chief Curator and Historian. It has been an unbelievable experience so far as we continue to uncover more about Allyne & Lucius’s lives, relationships, and patriotism. This project has grown exponentially in the past few months, and the Transcription Team remains steadfast in their progress and passion.
As Chief Curator and Historian, I am making sure that each letter is transcribed as best as they can be. All of the letters are in excellent condition, which is something that every historian hopes for! Currently, the Transcription Team and I are maticulously going through each individual page of the letters and writing down not only the exact words, but also making note of drawings, poems, envelopes & addresses, deciphering abbreviations and phrases not used in modern English, and so much more. Every mark on the page is a piece of Allyne & Lucius history, and I am honored to be helping to shed light on such a powerful and true story.
After all of the transcriptions are done, I’ll be utilizing my background in Digital History to start bringing Allyne & Lucius’ story together in a visual and interactive way, so their lives can be better understood. I’m excited to share that progress as well when the time comes!
-Sydney
Reunited!
Lucius Carver and Allyne Litchfield’s letters have been reunited. Let me explain. The reason why Allyne Litchfield’s letters arrived at the William L. Clements Library in the 1990s is currently unknown to the team. Regardless of why, the collection has called the library home for over three decades now, and this makes perfect sense with Allyne’s lasting legacy as a proud member of the famed 7th Michigan Cavalry. The university’s mascot, The Wolverines, is even named after General Custer’s nickname for the Michigan Cavalry Brigade. But what was shrouded in even more mystery was the location of Lucius’ letters. Until now. Unknown to the University of Michigan, their collection of letters from Civil War hero Allyne Litchfield was incomplete, like a treasure map that is missing a piece without anyone realizing it until both are placed side by side.
In the winter of 2023, I tracked down Bob Horton, a Vietnam veteran and Cape Cod resident who was working as a Duck Boat captain in Boston. I found him through a 2017 comment he had left on a cemetery blog, where he mentioned letters written by Lucius Carver to his father during the Civil War. Bob had received the letters from his son-in-law, Brian Trodesco, who works in estate sales and had come across them during an unclaimed estate clearance. Bob had preserved the letters, and after connecting, we arranged for me to temporarily take possession of them to transcribe and digitize, with the goal of eventually placing them at the University of Michigan’s Clements Library.
How the collection of letters was separated we may never know. But now that both collections have seen the light of day, it is clear that they are one whole story meant to exist together. And we are happy to share that this is now a reality. After Lucius’ letters found a temporary home at Endicott College, my alma mater, and took a stop back in the Carver family’s birthplace of Marshfield, Massachusetts, they were shipped to the Clements Library, where they are now together, as they should be. The entire team is ecstatic and humbled by this. While there is still much work to do in order to share this story with America, we can pause and reflect on what it means to reunite the words, thoughts, emotions, and handwriting of two men who have been separated for over a century.
Connecting with Allyne Litchfield’s Ancestors
Finding living descendants of Lucius Carver and Allyne Litchfield became an unexpected but important part of this project. Using FamilySearch, I traced their family line to the present day, then searched LinkedIn until I found Geoff, Allyne’s 4x great-grandson. I sent him what was probably the strangest LinkedIn message he will ever receive: “I am a college student researching Civil War vets in MA; you might be related to Lucius Carver and Allyne Litchfield, two fascinating soldiers. Would love to discuss further.”
After talking online for a while, Sydney, Isaac, and I set up a call with Geoff. We were surprised to learn that he and his siblings knew little about their ancestor’s role in the Civil War. Over an hour-and-a-half conversation, we shared what we had uncovered, and Sydney and Isaac read aloud letters they had transcribed, giving Geoff a glimpse into the raw emotions and personal struggles of his 4x great-grandfather.
Geoff also had something to teach us. The name Allyne had been passed down through his family, and his grandfather shared it. Because of this, he clarified that the correct pronunciation is “Al-line,” not “Allen,” which we had been using. This has been a tricky switch for the team to make.
Connecting with Geoff and his family was a reminder that history is not just about the past, it is about the present too. These stories are more than words in old letters; they are part of a family’s legacy, and sharing them helps ensure they are remembered for generations to come.
Latest (Spoiler-Free) Research from the Carver Litchfield Project
As our team continues working through hundreds of letters and historical documents, we’ve uncovered even more fascinating details that bring Lucius Carver and Allyne Litchfield’s story to life. While we’re keeping key moments under wraps, here are some of our latest discoveries:
“What do we know of the Allyne and Lucius so far?
Allyne and Susan are incredibly close. Allyne often writes of his admiration for her and homesickness for her and their young son, Lawrence. In his letters, Allyne does not hold back his thoughts or feelings when writing to his beloved wife, save for the occasional case when an event is too graphic to describe to her (i.e. battlefields post-fight). He mentions in a letter how badly he wants Susan to read a book that he just finished, so they could write to each other about their thoughts on it.
Allyne also writes of the war, his thoughts, religous reflections, and daily orders. Some days are slow, in which he will take the time to write long letters, with neat handwriting, and other days he has only a moment to spare, so he grabs whatever paper he can and jots a quick note in scribbled cursive. He often will update Susan on the resignations and promotions of leaders, as well as the movements of both Rebel (Confederate) and Union forces. He does not shy away from speaking his mind about matters, and often thinks of strategies he would impose if he could, while simultaneously reflecting on God’s will.
We currently have not transcribed many of Lucius letters, but from Allyne’s letters, we know that Allyne sees him as incredibly fit to be solider, and he feels that Lucius would make his way up the ranks quickly. One letter we have transcribed from Lucius shows just how feverish he was to join Allyne and the Union. Lucius joins Allyne in July of 1863 and often mentions Lucius is doing well and sends his love to all the folks back home.
I’ll be sharing more details about Allyne, Susan, Lucius, and their love ones as we continue to read and transcribe their near-daily letters. The transcription process takes a great deal of time, but that time allows for us to sit with everyone’s words and to take it all in, one word at a time.”
-Sydney
Key Historical Findings
- An Unparalleled Collection of Firsthand Accounts
- The archive includes approximately 400 letters between Allyne and Lucius’s Collections, plus 100 additional documents and original envelopes, making it a rich source of personal Civil War history.
- Allyne’s Near-Daily Letters to His Wife
- Starting in early 1863, Allyne wrote almost every day to his wife, Susan, sharing details about battles, camp life, and his unwavering love for her.
- The Physical Toll of War
- May 9, 1863 – Allyne describes the brutal exhaustion of Union cavalry forces under General Stoneman:
“You can imagine perhaps the condition of men and horses after being saddled and ridding [sic] for 7 days. One can see the bare bones on the backs of some of them.”
- May 9, 1863 – Allyne describes the brutal exhaustion of Union cavalry forces under General Stoneman:
Exciting Discoveries – Stay Tuned
We’ve uncovered some remarkable historical findings, but some stories are too big to share just yet. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come:
- A Family Rooted in Early American History: Lucius, Susan, and Allyne’s lineage connects them to a pivotal moment in history.
- Gettysburg: A Firsthand Account of Survival: Allyne’s letters from early July 1863 contain vivid details of the battle. But for now, we’re keeping the full story under wraps.
- Allyne’s Relationship with General Custer: A December 1863 encounter between Allyne and a young rising cavalry leader is just the beginning of a bigger story we can’t wait to share.
The full details of these stories will be revealed in time. Until then, stay tuned—you won’t want to miss what’s coming next.
Voices from the Letters
- Lucius’ War Fever, Foreshadowing
- “I almost wish I had come out and joined Allyne’s Regt.—I’m getting a little war fever on.”
- A Line from Lucius’ Poem
- “Do they think of me at home? Do they ever think of me … I would give the world to know. Do they think of me at home?”
- A Cavalryman’s Sense of Humor
- Allyne had strong opinions on many things—including the importance of a good pie:
“Box came night before last and there was mourning in camp over mouldy pies.”
- Allyne had strong opinions on many things—including the importance of a good pie:
- A Wife’s Perspective on the War
- Lysander’s (Lysander is the eldest sibling of Lucius and Susan) wife, Anna, on the immense cost of war:
“This dreadful war it is shocking such a sacrifice of human life. When will it ever end? After the flower of our country has perished, and the cities laid in ashes?”
- Lysander’s (Lysander is the eldest sibling of Lucius and Susan) wife, Anna, on the immense cost of war:
- Allyne on Lucius as a Soldier, Foreshadowing
- “I wish Lucius was here as he would probably be a veteran in a few days. I shall have great confidence in him, he’s of the right sort of stuff.”
- Preparing for the Worst
- As he prepared for the possibility of death or capture, Allyne wrote:
“You may surmise from my dwelling on the possibility of my death, that I have some presentiment. That is not so—indeed, I do not even feel as I did last fall. I simply realize the uncertainty of life as any soldier ought that means to do his whole duty. In remembrance of you, I will try and be as prudent as this duty will admit.”
- As he prepared for the possibility of death or capture, Allyne wrote:
- A Religious Reflection on War
- “This I think He will do, for He has ever been kind to us. He it is who will make His power felt and bring this unholy rebellion to a close and establish righteousness. Then, if we are spared, reunited to enjoy all these blessings, how great will be our joys. Then shall we never forget what it is to be happy together.”
What’s Next?
We still have hundreds of letters to transcribe, and with each one, we uncover more about the lives of Lucius, Allyne, Susan, and those around them. As always, we’ll continue sharing spoiler-free discoveries along the way—so stay tuned for more insights!
In the News
I recently (December 2024) had the opportunity to sit down with Robert Goydas of Marshfield Community Media to discuss the Carver Litchfield Project. Robert gave me a platform to share the story of Lucius, Allyne, and Susan, complete with insight into their experiences during the Civil War and the personal journey that led me to uncover their letters.
The interview was filmed at the family grave plot in Marshfield Hills Cemetery, the very place where this journey began. This meaningful backdrop helped bring the project full circle, connecting the past with the present in a powerful way.
Those interested in watching the interview can view it here:
🔗Marshfield Community Media Interview(The segment begins at the 22-minute mark.)
Thank you for taking the time to follow along on this journey—your interest and support help bring the stories of Lucius, Allyne, and Susan back to life, ensuring their legacy is remembered.
Due credit/image credit to Ryan Curley, @ryancurleyhistory on Substack