By Murphy Barr
Journal Historian

The following is the conclusion the story of John Cloud, a Revolutionary War veteran, an early immigrant to Louisiana, and the only known veteran of that war buried in what is now Winn Parish, Louisiana. His grave marker is located on private property on Louisiana Highway 505, and is not open to the public.

D.W. Cloud, brother of John Cloud, left Missouri and traveled south through Arkansas into Louisiana. On his way, being a lawyer, he looked for places that would be good for a law practice. He described the land he passed through as having good soil, good water, good farming, and good hunting for the area.

He stated, "The reason for our pushing on still farther on must be now told, and as it is a master one, it will suffice to say without mention of any other, Ever since Texas unfurled the banner of freedom and commenced a warfare of 'Liberty or Death,' our hearts have been enlisted on her behalf. The progress of her cause has increased the ardor of our feelings until we have resolved to embark in the vessel of liberty which contains the 'flag of liberty' and sink or swim in its defense. Our brothers of Texas were invited by the Mexican government while Republican in its form to come and settle. They did so. Now the Mexicans with unblushing effrontery call on them to submit to monarchical tyrannical control, despotism. At the bare mention every true hearted son of Kentucky feels an instinctive honor by a firm and steady glow of virtuous indignation. The cause of philanthropy, of humanity, of liberty, and human happiness throughout the world calls loud on every man who can aid Texas. I reconcile the duties of a soldier with those of a Christian.

"If we succeed, the country is ours. It is immense in extent and fertile in its soil and will amply reward our toils. If we fail in the cause of liberty and humanity is not cause for shuddering. Our rifles are by our sides, and choice guns they are. We know what awaits us, and are prepared to meet it. My dear brother, I am in the hands of Omnipotence and rejoice in the hope of His favor and protection.

"I now commission you to hear me as a son, as an affection to my beloved mother and her husband. Kiss sister and children for me. To Uncle Sam and William and their families, remember we are of the same origin, the blood of the same loved parents flow in our veins, the same maternal tenderness watched over our infant slumbers and the same counsel instilled principles into our minds. May our united petition to a throne of Divine Goodness invoke the same bread of life daily, and may our souls united in life finally nestle under the protecting shield of the same all wise and merciful Redeemer."

Your affectionate brother, D.W. Cloud

The above information is from a letter that gives a picture of a strong character, the right thinking, and patriotism of the Cloud family. It appears that John Cloud was a lawyer the same as his brother, D. W. Cloud. It appears that D. W. Cloud went to Texas and fought for Texas independence.

In the early days in the area that the explorer Bienville gave the name of Louisville, came a Mr. Haigler. He brought slaves and opened a plantation ner the Indian Trail, now Louisiana Hwy 505. A brick kiln was established on the plantation where slaves made brick for buildings in the area. Today a church stands where the brick kiln was located years ago. The owner of the plantation established a family cemetery near his home place, a common practice in those early days in the South.

In time the plantation passed into the hands of E.K. McGinty. The 1860 U.S. Census gives E.K. McGinty, 30 years of age, a farmer born in Georgia. His real estate value was $6,000. His wife, Mary C. McGinty, was 19 years of age, born in Alabama. The plantation was known as the McGinty place for many years, and in time was broken up and sold in smaller plots. John Cloud lived an outstanding life. He was born in North Carolina on New Light Creek, when North Carolina was a British colony.

At the age of 19 he fought for England in the Battle of Quebec in 1759 against a French army led by Gen. Montcalm. Gen. Wolfe was commander of the British forces, who won the battle. Both generals were killed in the battle. When told by his surgeon that death was only a few hours away, Montcalm is reported to have said, "I am goad of it. I'm happy I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." Gen. Wolfe was fatally wounded also. When finding that the English won the battle, he said, "God be praised. I shall die in peace, winning the battle." The English then claimed all of Canada.

John Cloud was 36 years old when on July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress signed The Declaration of Independence, prepared by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Livingston, and John Adams and had been debated and amended by that Congress. John Cloud fought for the independence of the American colonies, and lived to see them become a strong nation.

Noah Cloud, a son of John Cloud, lived near the old Indian Trail, now a highway that crosses Dugdemona Bayou. That crossing was named Cloud's Crossing, for Noah Cloud, and continues to bear that name today.

John Cloud died in the home of his son, Noah, and was buried in an unmarked grave there. It was then a part of Natchitoches Parish, and was annexed along with portions of Rapides into Winn Parish in 1852. Years later the descendants of John Cloud placed a tombstone in his memory in the old plantation private cemetery a few miles from where he died. The grave marker, along with three or four others, is in an overgrown area on private property on Highway 505, not open to the public

A letter from D.W. Cloud, to his brother, John Cloud, is in the hands of Tracy Rushing, of Jonesboro, a direct descendant of John Cloud. Mr. Rushing lived as a boy growing up on the farm which is part of the original McGinty Plantation, operated by John Cloud during his lifetime. Other information is from Ronald Rushing, Tracy's nephew, who lives on Highway 505 not far from the old plantation cemetery. The Shreveport chapter Daughters of the American Revolution placed a marker near John Cloud\'92s tomb in his memory. The tombstone bears the legend: "John Cloud, North Carolina, PVT, GA Troops, Revolutionary War, February 5, 1740, February 1, 1840."

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