Book review
‘Cry Uncle’ a moving, human story
about a war ‘that ain’t fair for nobody’

“Cry Uncle, Sumbody,” by Thomas Ray Crowel, 400 pages, Success Press, 2011, $22.95.

Reviewed by
Ed Ford
Bugle Editor

Civil War accounts are filled with stories of families divided and brother against brother, but Cry Uncle, Sumbody has an interesting twist. It’s a tale of  family sacrifices, imprisonment and survival, all based on an actual diary kept by a Union foot soldier.

Author Thomas Crowel was given the small leather-bound diary more than 50 years ago. It had laid for decades in an old train caboose on an Indiana farm and, many years later, he transcribed it, but either misplaced or lost his notes.

About a year ago,  he decided again to transcribe the diary of Sgt. David Longenecker and, this time, was so compelled by its contents that he decided to tell the story. The result is a fictional account of a truly human saga that took place during 1864-65.

Based on the writings of Sgt. Longenecker, Crowel fashioned a historical fictional novel around the events described in the diary. The author based much of his book on things that actually happened. The first half of the book is called “The Story” and the second half is “The Diary.” When the reader compares the two parts, it’s evident how much of the book is based on actual facts.

Names of characters are changed “out of a respect for history.” But the sergeant’s day-to-day struggle to survive reeks of authenticity.

Through his main character, renamed David Longacher, Crowel reveals the sergeant’s thoughts about the politics of the war, impressions of the leaders who directed it and the soldiers – both Union and Confederate – who fought it. Also, there are accounts of the battles in which Longacher fought, the wounds he endured and the prisons in which he was confined. His story is about sickness, starvation, fear and the lives and deaths of soldiers like himself.

But, David is no stranger to the effects of war. His father died at the first battle of Bull Run (Manassas) and a close cousin is destined to join the Confederacy.

A particularly moving part of the book involves the relationship Longacher has with a Confederate guard the Yankees call “Grizzly.” Although on opposite sides, David and Grizzly share news about the war, stories of the day-to-day existence of prisoners and guards and the lack of food that everyone – Northerners and Southerners – must endure. Their relationship reflects a human side of the conflict and the fact they’re both Americans and certainly not all that different.

At one point, Grizzly is placed in chains when found drunk and, when word circulates, it’s discovered that the guard’s penalty will be his move to the front.

“Grizzly will be okay,” David relates. “He’s up for discharge soon, so he’ll probably be home before us.”

But it wasn’t a certainty. It was agreed that “like other flawed, but honorable and reasonable men, Grizzly was at risk from allies and enemies alike.”

When Longacher and his comrades eventually are exchanged for Confederate prisoners, David hears two guards talking.  One acknowledges that he’s glad “the Yanks are goin’….it hasn’t been a cinch for them here.” The other guard complains that he hasn’t had it easy either.

“Point is,” the older guard says, “war ain’t fair for nobody.”

Cry Uncle, Sumbody is a quick and easy read. And, it’s a story that stays with you.