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Rough Enough: Including Richard H. Clow's Letters and Diary from the Civil and Indian Wars 1865 - 1875
Rough Enough is a 260 page book with photographs. It is a work of historical non-fiction detailing ten years in the life a young man who goes off to war and grows up rapidly in the process.
Richard Clow was only 17 ½ when the excitement of the final year of conflict entices him to enlist in the Union Army in 1864. His thirteen letters home to his sisters describe his early military experiences leading up to the bloody battles to take Petersburg in the final onslaught in April of 1865. The Virginian countryside, troop ship, battles on the front lines at Petersburg, stresses of war, and close calls are laid out by this young man who has a flair for description. The change in maturation from snotty nosed youth to blooded infantryman are clear as are to of the stresses that most probably led him into a post war "Soldier's Heart" type syndrome.
The joys and sorrows of war are clearly brought home from the front and within two years after
receiving a hero's welcome back home in Boston, the pressures of life cause Richard to reenlist and joint the 13th Infantry fighting on the frontier in 1867. On the plains of the Dakotas and the mountains of Montana, Clow hunts, fights Indians, and endures harsh winters in ramshackle forts.
In his letter of 1869 to his sister Bertha Clow, he describes the situation at Fort Buford with the Indian attacks and the longing to settle down and be married. Again within that letter we detect a frontier soldier's melancholy due to stress, loneliness, and isolation.
As he musters out of the military 1870, Clow falls in love and takes up employment as clerk for the famous fur trader, Charles Larpenteur. After he marries Larpentuer's daughter, his diary reveals the journey back to civilization which is followed by further tragedy. His poignant words of the song "Waiting for Thee" reveal the extent of his loss which drives him back to the frontier and the gold ruch town of Deadwood. His diary songs reveal how he gradually regains some of the simple joys of life. Falling in love for a second time, the arrival of a new baby sets the stage for a family and forty more years of productive life.
Richard Clow was only 17 ½ when the excitement of the final year of conflict entices him to enlist in the Union Army in 1864. His thirteen letters home to his sisters describe his early military experiences leading up to the bloody battles to take Petersburg in the final onslaught in April of 1865. The Virginian countryside, troop ship, battles on the front lines at Petersburg, stresses of war, and close calls are laid out by this young man who has a flair for description. The change in maturation from snotty nosed youth to blooded infantryman are clear as are to of the stresses that most probably led him into a post war "Soldier's Heart" type syndrome.
The joys and sorrows of war are clearly brought home from the front and within two years after
receiving a hero's welcome back home in Boston, the pressures of life cause Richard to reenlist and joint the 13th Infantry fighting on the frontier in 1867. On the plains of the Dakotas and the mountains of Montana, Clow hunts, fights Indians, and endures harsh winters in ramshackle forts.
In his letter of 1869 to his sister Bertha Clow, he describes the situation at Fort Buford with the Indian attacks and the longing to settle down and be married. Again within that letter we detect a frontier soldier's melancholy due to stress, loneliness, and isolation.
As he musters out of the military 1870, Clow falls in love and takes up employment as clerk for the famous fur trader, Charles Larpenteur. After he marries Larpentuer's daughter, his diary reveals the journey back to civilization which is followed by further tragedy. His poignant words of the song "Waiting for Thee" reveal the extent of his loss which drives him back to the frontier and the gold ruch town of Deadwood. His diary songs reveal how he gradually regains some of the simple joys of life. Falling in love for a second time, the arrival of a new baby sets the stage for a family and forty more years of productive life.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
4 people want to read
About the author
Richard H. Mcbee Jr.
4 books6 followersRick McBee, (full name: Richard H. McBee Jr.) is a writer across all genres of fiction and non-fiction! Having been a Science Teacher, School Principal, U.S. Army Soldier, Peace Corps Volunteer, Methodist Missionary, Mountain Climber, Spelunker, Big Game Hunter and Scuba Diver while living, traveling and working in North America, Africa, South America and Europe, he has plenty of grist for the writing mill.
Rick now has four books in the market place.
2016: "The Ghosts of Ukuthula" is an adventure, action, fiction novel of the struggle for Black African majority rule in The Republic of South Africa. It has enough history of the final transition in 1989-90 to pull you into the intrigue, fear and violence of that period of history. You won’t be able to put it down!
2014: "Beachcomber Seashells of the Caribbean" is the result of over ten years of research, travel, beach combing and diving in the Caribbean in order to study and collect seashells from Florida to Venezuela. It is the best e-book for this part of the world and works best in the e-format.
2013: "Rough Enough," is a Civil War history based on eight years of research to trace and follow the life of Rick's great grandfather, Richard H. Clow, from his enlistment in the Union Army in 1864 through to the Indian wars in Montana and the Dakota Territories. The letters he wrote to his sisters and his diary give insights into the daily life of a soldier who eventually ended up in Deadwood, S.D. in the 1876 gold rush with the likes of “Wild Bill.”
1995: "Kalahari" is Rick's first book, a retro spy adventure novel set in Southern Africa.
Rick now has four books in the market place.
2016: "The Ghosts of Ukuthula" is an adventure, action, fiction novel of the struggle for Black African majority rule in The Republic of South Africa. It has enough history of the final transition in 1989-90 to pull you into the intrigue, fear and violence of that period of history. You won’t be able to put it down!
2014: "Beachcomber Seashells of the Caribbean" is the result of over ten years of research, travel, beach combing and diving in the Caribbean in order to study and collect seashells from Florida to Venezuela. It is the best e-book for this part of the world and works best in the e-format.
2013: "Rough Enough," is a Civil War history based on eight years of research to trace and follow the life of Rick's great grandfather, Richard H. Clow, from his enlistment in the Union Army in 1864 through to the Indian wars in Montana and the Dakota Territories. The letters he wrote to his sisters and his diary give insights into the daily life of a soldier who eventually ended up in Deadwood, S.D. in the 1876 gold rush with the likes of “Wild Bill.”
1995: "Kalahari" is Rick's first book, a retro spy adventure novel set in Southern Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 30, 2014
Life for Richard H. Clow truly was “Rough Enough” in his day but his story is a treasure for contemporary readers. Fortunately for us, his correspondence and diary are in the hands of his great-grandson, Author Richard McBee, who has woven their contents into a well researched and skillfully written history.
As the Civil War ground toward its conclusion, Clow was a young man living near Boston. Supported more by his sister than his father, he enlisted in for 100 days in the 22nd Massachusetts. That enlistment completed, Clow, still in the Boston area, reenlisted, this time with the 56th Massachusetts. With them he would complete his training and see action. His letters home include the soldier’s view of the assault on Petersburg, the Grand Review in Washington, where he met up with his brother, a member of the 4th Minnesota. The simple words of real-time emotions are found in his letter of April 29, 1865: “I am felling tiptop and am glad that the war is over. It was to (sic) bad about Mr. Lincoln and I was very sorry when I heard of it.” With the return of peace Richard tried to find a life on the farm but, after what he had seen, he was still too restless to settle down. Returning to his past experience, he reenlisted again, this time for the Indian Wars of Montana. Finally having had enough of military life, Clow found love, a job and a civilian life into which he fit. Gradually moving west he ended up in Oregon until his death in 1926.
This book, like many based on participant accounts, brings out details that would have been widely known at the time but not later. The fact that Union troops would be short of rations because of the ones given to surrendering Confederates, that demobilized troops were given the opportunity to buy their guns and that Indian fighters in Montana would freeze in uniforms made for combat in Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia are things that I would have never thought of. The explanation of the protection provided by Forts Ellis and Shaw to settlers in Montana is an education in the nature and purpose of the Indian Wars. That was particularly of interest to me because of an uncle who was stationed at those forts at about the same time but I suspect that it would hold the attention of anyone entranced by the lore of the Old West. We often think of the soldier in that role but for most, including Richard Clow, that is a small, but crucial, part of life. This saga tells the whole life of a man who was shaped by war and grew up with the frontier and completed his course in the Pacific Northwest.
What I like the most about this book is the way author Richard McBee blended Clow’s writings with his own research. I am amazed at how well McBee unearthed the truths behind Clow’s references and the historical acts in which he played his roles. Often the combination of a veteran’s observations and a descendant’s writing leaves a lot to be desired. Such is not the case with “Rough Enough”. We could not have asked for more.
I did receive a free copy of this book for review.
As the Civil War ground toward its conclusion, Clow was a young man living near Boston. Supported more by his sister than his father, he enlisted in for 100 days in the 22nd Massachusetts. That enlistment completed, Clow, still in the Boston area, reenlisted, this time with the 56th Massachusetts. With them he would complete his training and see action. His letters home include the soldier’s view of the assault on Petersburg, the Grand Review in Washington, where he met up with his brother, a member of the 4th Minnesota. The simple words of real-time emotions are found in his letter of April 29, 1865: “I am felling tiptop and am glad that the war is over. It was to (sic) bad about Mr. Lincoln and I was very sorry when I heard of it.” With the return of peace Richard tried to find a life on the farm but, after what he had seen, he was still too restless to settle down. Returning to his past experience, he reenlisted again, this time for the Indian Wars of Montana. Finally having had enough of military life, Clow found love, a job and a civilian life into which he fit. Gradually moving west he ended up in Oregon until his death in 1926.
This book, like many based on participant accounts, brings out details that would have been widely known at the time but not later. The fact that Union troops would be short of rations because of the ones given to surrendering Confederates, that demobilized troops were given the opportunity to buy their guns and that Indian fighters in Montana would freeze in uniforms made for combat in Virginia, Mississippi and Georgia are things that I would have never thought of. The explanation of the protection provided by Forts Ellis and Shaw to settlers in Montana is an education in the nature and purpose of the Indian Wars. That was particularly of interest to me because of an uncle who was stationed at those forts at about the same time but I suspect that it would hold the attention of anyone entranced by the lore of the Old West. We often think of the soldier in that role but for most, including Richard Clow, that is a small, but crucial, part of life. This saga tells the whole life of a man who was shaped by war and grew up with the frontier and completed his course in the Pacific Northwest.
What I like the most about this book is the way author Richard McBee blended Clow’s writings with his own research. I am amazed at how well McBee unearthed the truths behind Clow’s references and the historical acts in which he played his roles. Often the combination of a veteran’s observations and a descendant’s writing leaves a lot to be desired. Such is not the case with “Rough Enough”. We could not have asked for more.
I did receive a free copy of this book for review.
March 2, 2013
I love history and all things Civil War, so naturally this book piqued my interest. Once I began reading, I was absolutely fascinated by the tale of this young man (Richard Clow's) life and experiences.
While I have read quite a few books that had to do with this era and the lives of individual men, none have touched me quite the way this one did. What was different about this book, was that not only do you get to relive a period of important American history through this man's letters and thoughts during the actual war, but it goes on to describe his life after release. You get a clear picture of what day to day life was like for soldiers dealing with the after effects and trauma of war and a feeling of the restlessness that Richard Clow experienced when he tried to return to a civilian life.
I was particularly interested in the section of the book that told the story of Mr. Clow's adventures in South Dakota. I have family that lives in Deadwood, Pierre, and Spearfish, South Dakota and the mining history has always been of interest to me. This book was the first opportunity I have ever had to really experience what the venture must have been like in those days.
The descriptions Richard H. McBee Jr. uses throughout his book are wonderful and his background information on his ancestor fill in the gaps in the letters wonderfully. He has done an excellent job researching this material and painting a more complete and fulfilling picture for his audience to enjoy. The portion of this book that tells how life really was for these young soldiers rekindled my desire to know more about the truth Vs. The myth of the Civil War and has prompted me to do further research. The author has included many photos and leads for his readers to follow so that they are able to gain further knowledge on this subject.
Some of the other exciting parts of this book for me were the interactions between the soldiers and the Indians, the level of excitement Richard Clow felt during his first battle and the way the author described the naivety and innocence of the young men who had not yet seen the battlefield.
If you have a basic knowledge and would like to learn more, or if you are simply interested in history, this is a perfect book to both entertain and educate yourself with.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
While I have read quite a few books that had to do with this era and the lives of individual men, none have touched me quite the way this one did. What was different about this book, was that not only do you get to relive a period of important American history through this man's letters and thoughts during the actual war, but it goes on to describe his life after release. You get a clear picture of what day to day life was like for soldiers dealing with the after effects and trauma of war and a feeling of the restlessness that Richard Clow experienced when he tried to return to a civilian life.
I was particularly interested in the section of the book that told the story of Mr. Clow's adventures in South Dakota. I have family that lives in Deadwood, Pierre, and Spearfish, South Dakota and the mining history has always been of interest to me. This book was the first opportunity I have ever had to really experience what the venture must have been like in those days.
The descriptions Richard H. McBee Jr. uses throughout his book are wonderful and his background information on his ancestor fill in the gaps in the letters wonderfully. He has done an excellent job researching this material and painting a more complete and fulfilling picture for his audience to enjoy. The portion of this book that tells how life really was for these young soldiers rekindled my desire to know more about the truth Vs. The myth of the Civil War and has prompted me to do further research. The author has included many photos and leads for his readers to follow so that they are able to gain further knowledge on this subject.
Some of the other exciting parts of this book for me were the interactions between the soldiers and the Indians, the level of excitement Richard Clow felt during his first battle and the way the author described the naivety and innocence of the young men who had not yet seen the battlefield.
If you have a basic knowledge and would like to learn more, or if you are simply interested in history, this is a perfect book to both entertain and educate yourself with.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
February 23, 2013
We are so far removed from the lives of our ancestors it comes as a surprise when some scrap of information reveals their shared humanity.
Richard Clow’s descendants (and now us) are fortunate he provided a bounty of information in the form of letters to family and a diary he kept during an important period of his life.
From this information and assisted by more extensive research, Richard H. McBee Jr. has crafted a readable and insightful portrait of his ancestor.
The book traces Clow’s life from when he first enlisted in the Union Army in 1864 as a callow youth looking for adventure to his maturity as a family man and respected member of his community.
For those with an interest in the Civil War, the book provides an absorbing look at what life was really like for the average soldier. As an example of the privation experienced by recruits, Clow’s letters reveal his first posting had limited supplies and recruits were obliged to provide some of their own equipment, including clothing and blankets. After his first 100 days, Clow reenlisted and participated in the assault on Petersburg, Va. After the war, he again reenlisted and served in Montana and the Dakota Territory.
Naturally, his adventures as an Indian fighter and later as a gold miner are interesting. But equally intriguing to me were the minutiae of daily life, recorded for his own purpose and not often found in conventional biographies—the cost of provisions, comments on weather, recipes, songs, etc.
McBee’s research fills in blanks in many places where the reader might have floundered in speculation. I found his comments on DaCosta’s Syndome and its probable role in depression and outbursts of rage among veterans of the Civil and Indian wars most interesting and reasonable.
McBee has done an admirable job, and I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in life in the America of the 19th century.
Richard Clow’s descendants (and now us) are fortunate he provided a bounty of information in the form of letters to family and a diary he kept during an important period of his life.
From this information and assisted by more extensive research, Richard H. McBee Jr. has crafted a readable and insightful portrait of his ancestor.
The book traces Clow’s life from when he first enlisted in the Union Army in 1864 as a callow youth looking for adventure to his maturity as a family man and respected member of his community.
For those with an interest in the Civil War, the book provides an absorbing look at what life was really like for the average soldier. As an example of the privation experienced by recruits, Clow’s letters reveal his first posting had limited supplies and recruits were obliged to provide some of their own equipment, including clothing and blankets. After his first 100 days, Clow reenlisted and participated in the assault on Petersburg, Va. After the war, he again reenlisted and served in Montana and the Dakota Territory.
Naturally, his adventures as an Indian fighter and later as a gold miner are interesting. But equally intriguing to me were the minutiae of daily life, recorded for his own purpose and not often found in conventional biographies—the cost of provisions, comments on weather, recipes, songs, etc.
McBee’s research fills in blanks in many places where the reader might have floundered in speculation. I found his comments on DaCosta’s Syndome and its probable role in depression and outbursts of rage among veterans of the Civil and Indian wars most interesting and reasonable.
McBee has done an admirable job, and I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in life in the America of the 19th century.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews