The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-01-06
LAST TRIP OF THE
STEAMER RED CLOUD

during Euc llNll war lneEe Was. 2
mysterious boat that used to travel
the Mississippi river. Her name was
the Red Gil nd. Prior to the war she
had been used for packet on the
upper Ohio river She was powerful
and fast. Her owners turned her
/ over to the Northern army and they
used her until she was shot down BY
j the guns al Vicksburg
Old river men claim the Red Cloud
was used in transporting certain
army supplies from river point to
/ point and for bringing back cargoes
/ Of sugar, coffee and cotton from
i New Orleans to cities along the Ohio
river.
She flew the Union flag when
travelling in the upper streams, but
passing Island No 10 she raised the
Southern flag and never ran except
at night.
In this work everv light on her
was blinded. Her pilot was Hamp
Thornton, a daring fellow from New
Albany, Ind, and man said t. have
known the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers so well he could run the chan
mel all the way to New Orleans
blindfolded.
1t was on a night in March that
the Red Cloud was steaming her way
down the river, keeping as far away
from shore batteries en- route as
possible. If any mmander asked
what boat it was the name given
was a southern steamer that had
been permitted to run. The captain
Of the Red Cloud always knew what
boats name to announce, and in this
way she got by in many close places,
as there was not the usual alertness
of officers along the river south of
Memphis
A Confederate boat happened to
be off Vicksburg the night the Red
Cloud attempted to run by the city.
The Confederate captain could not
recognize the federal boat and chal-
lenged her. The usual reply came
back, but the captain of the Red
CT nd called out the name of the
very steamer challenging her.
Information was sent t. the Off
Ger in charge Of the Confederate bat
teries at Vicksburg, which We're a
short distance below the city. AS the
Red Cloud was drifting it took some
time for her to reach place in the
river opposite the batteries, but
when she did several big guns were
turned loose on her. She was set on
fire, and while burning boats were
sent to her from the shore. The
crew was captured, excepting Pilot
Tn rnton, who leaped into the water
and swan ashore.
Making landing on the Louisiana
side, Thornton walked most of the
night along river road At day.
light he came to a plantation home.
There was no one there but the wo-
men folks and two aged negro men,.
Thornton went to the house and
asked for something to eat. When
questioned he told a straight story.
His truthfulness awakened sympathy
IF the women and they cautioned him
not to attempt going further unless
he wanted to be captured, because
Confederate cavalrymen were active
a few miles down the river.
Accepting an invitation of the
ladies to remain a few days, he was
hidden in the attic, Word soon
spread that he had escaped from the
burning steamer. The country for
miles around was searched, but the
soldiers failed to find him.
A few days later Thornton started
to make his way back North While |
walking along the highway he came
upon a dead Confederate soldier and
snapped clothes with him. In this
manner he managed to get by am
ing troops until he attempted to I
cross. the State Of Tennessee, when
he was arrested by some Union cav
alrymen. He proved his identity and
was put in the army.
Months afterward the company he
was in was sent to Vncksburg, when
Gen, Grant began his work of sur
rounding that city. He fought
through this battle and remained
there several weeks after Grant had
forced surrender.
1t was at this period Of his career
that he accidentally met up with the
same women folks who had helped
him escape. The eldest Of the wo-
men had son in hospital at
and had come to see him
IN pass through the federal lines.
Thornton was one of the guards at
he hospital and did everything he
,ould for them. When he was told
If the son, who, it was said, could
lever recover from his wounds. he
became fond of him. When the boy
lied Thornton struggled a letter to
lis mother and sister.
Thornton left Vicksburg for other
,atteries. When peace was declared
lie returned to plotting boats on the
river. Frequently his
,oat landed at the home of his
and once or twice he
.ot off the steamer and spent few
Laws at the home.
Untrue to the usual trend of ro-
nances, however, Thornton never
married any Of the family. He quit
he river for the farm. returned to
lis old home and married a girl he
lad known most If his life.-J. H.