I’m curious about Sam’s time piloting the Alonzo Child. He co-piloted 
with Horace Bixby and William Bowen from September of 1860 to November 
of 1860 when the boat tied up in Cairo because of icy conditions. It 
departed Cairo in January, arriving in St. Louis January 11. Sam is said 
to have served on the Sunshine in the interim. The Sunshine is reported 
to have served between St. Louis and St. Paul but I have found nothing 
to suggest Sam’s going to St. Paul. Also, it appears that Horace Bixby 
was no longer a co-pilot on the Alonzo Child, Sam’s co-pilots are 
unreported. The captain and owners of the Alonzo Child were Confederates 
and Bixby was a Unionists so this is likely a cause for Bixby’s 
disappearance. I recall something about Bixby writing his memoirs but I 
have failed to find a reference. Scharnhorst writes of William Bowen and 
Absalom Grimes joining Sam in St. Louis, after Sam’s escape from New 
Orleans on the Nebraska, and heading for refuge in Hannibal.

-- 
/*Unaffiliated Geographer and Twain aficionado*/

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