The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-07-21
THE DADE MASSACRE.


The Boston Post publishes the following
interesting account of the massacre of Ma.
jor DADE's detachment in Florida, in De-
cember, 1885, taken from the lips of Rom
som Clark, the sole survivor of that dread.
lul action, who is now In Boston:
"Our detachment, consisting Of III men,
under command of Maj. Dade, started from
Fort Brook, Tampa Bay, on the 23d of De.
cember, and arrived at the scene OF action
about s O'Clock on the morning of the 2sh.
II was on the edge of pond, three miles
from the spot where we had blvouacked on
the night previous. The pond was sur.
rounded by tall grass, brush and small trees.
A moment before We were SURPRISED, Major
Dade said to U.s. We have now got thro'
all danger; keep up good heart, and when
We get 10 Fort King, III give you three
days for Christmas
"Ai this time We were IN path, or trail
on the border of the pond; and the first no.
tlce that we received Of the presence of the
enemy was the discharge of rife BY their
chief, as signal TO commence the attack.
The pond was on our night, and the Indians
were scattered round, in n semicircle, on
our left, IN the rear, and in advance-rpach.
ing at the Two latter points to the edge of
the pond but leaving an opening for our
entrance on the path, and similar opening
on the other extremity for the egress OF our
advance guard, which was permitted to pass
through without being fired on, and of
course UNCONSCIOUS of the ambuscade thro'
which they had marched. At the time of
the attack this guard was about a quarter
OF mile IN advance, the main body follow.
ing in column, Two deep. The Chiefs ri.
fie was followed by a general discharge
from his men, and Major Dade, Capt Fra.
zIer, and Lieut.. Nudge, together with seve-
raj non commissioned officers and privates,
were brought down BY the first voley.-
Our rear guard had six FOUNDER, which,
as soon as possible, was hauled up, and
brought to bear upon the ground occupied
by the unseen enemy, secreted among the
grass, brush, and trees. The discharge Of
the cannon checked, and made them fall
back, for about half an hour. About twelve
of US advanced, and brought in our wound.
ed and arms, leaving the dead. Among
the wounded was Lieut.. Mndge, who was
speechless. We set him up against tree,
and he was found there two months after,
when Gen. Games sent detachment TO
bury the bodies of our soldiers. All hands
then commenced throwing up a small tri-
angular breast work Of logs, but, Just as we
had raised 1t about two feet, the Indians re.
turned, and renewed the engagement. 4
part OF our troops fought within the breast
work, and a part outside. remained out.
side I'LL received ball in my right arm,
aud another near my right temple, which
came out at the top of my head. | noxt
received shot 10 my thigh, which brought
me down on nv side, and then got in the
breastwerk. We gave them forty nine dis.
charges from The cannon; and, while load.
ing for the fitieih, the last shot we had.
our match went out. The Indians chiefly
leveled al the men who worked the cannon.
In the mean time the main body of our
troops kept general fire with musketrv.
The loss Of the enemy must have been
very great, because we never fred until we
fixed on our men but the cannon was ne.
cessarlly fired at random, as only two or
three Indians appeared together. When
the firing commenced the advance guard
wheeled, and in returning to the main BODY,
were entirely cut up. The battle lasted
till about four in the afternoon, and | was
about the last one who handled gun, while
lying on my side. At the close | received
. shot IN my right shoulder, which passed
into my lungs; the blood gushed out of my
mouth IN stream, and dropping my mus
Set, rolled over on my face. The Indians
hen entered the breas,work, but found not
me man to defend it. They secured the
irms, ammunition, and cannon, and des.
patched such of our fallen soldiers as thew
still 10 be alive. Their negroes then
came III 10 strip the dead. | had By this
lime somewhat revived, and negro observ.
ID that | was not dead, and took up mus.
kot, and shot me IN the top of my shoulder,
and the ball came ont at my back. After
firing, he said There d yon, take that
He then stripped me OF every thing bu. nv
shirt.
The enemy then disappeared to the
eff of the pond, and, through weakness and
apprehension, | remained still, till sbout
me o'clock at night. then commenced
rawling on my knees aud left hand. AsI
vas craving over the dead | put nv hand
n one man who felt different from the res,
he was warm and timber. | reused him
p, aud found II was De Courcv. an ENGLISH.