John Sherwin (Sher) Clow Civil War Vet. – Brother of Richard H. Clow

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Richard H. McBee Jr.

“John Sherwin Clow, 1836 – 1909, and the Civl War, Compiled by Catherine Clow, his daughter by the second wife. Closed Stacks: University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, E476.69.C55

John Sherwin (Sher) Clow, was a Civil War Veteran and one of the older brothers of CW Vet. Richard Headley Clow, about whom I have already written a ton, including a book.

“Sher” is the nick name he used to differentiate himself from his father , John Stevenet Clow and which is used by Richard in his letters when communicating with his sister during the war.

The manuscript is 33 pages long and documents daughter Catherine’s written history of her father. It adds original information about the war both from the front, but also from the side of the women who waited at home for their men.

For instance: John Clow’s wife was… Celinda Burnap Clow, sister to Colonel William Burnap.

JOhn Clow enlisted and was mustered into service in Rochester, Minnesota on Sept. 3, 1864 and was paid a bounty of $33.33 with $66.67 due. He went to Ft. Snelling, St. Paul, Minn. and was immediately mustered into Co. K., 4th Regt. Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. On Sept. 19, 1864 the 4th Minnesota Regt. was ordered to Altoona, GA and attached to the 1st Div, 15th Corps, Army of Tennessee. Initially assigned to gurad duty on a million rations in Altoona. they were attacked on Oct. 5th 1864 by French’s Division attempting to recapture the town.

John Clow’s letter of 18 Dec.to “Grandma” (Sarah Wyman Redman), 1864 says: ” We left Altoona on the 12th of Nov. and arrived here (near Savannah) having marched a distance of nearly 250 miles. We came by way of Atlanta, McDonough, Clinton and Gordon, stopping occasionally to tear up railroads, burn buoldings, cotten, etc……The notes in my diary would fill a volume…There were 17 tons of mail came yesterday for Sherman’s army….”

A great long letter – you will want to read the whole thing. Also another written by his older sister, Agnes, to his wife, Celinda about health of the family and other women’s concerns. Well worth reading. I’ll do a bote on parts of it in another blog.

The manuscript can be gotten in full from the university library in Oshkosh. Cost is $5.00. Well worth it! The real point here as you look at the captivating photo of the man is to note his intensity as well as dress.

See my other links at: http://www.amazon.com/author/rickmcbee

and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rough-enough-richard-mcbee/1114682075.