Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-01
General Samuel Dale.
HIS GREAT CANOE FIGHT.

In 1854, when Samuel Dale was yet boy,
his father moved from Virginia, and made
settlement near the site Of the present town of
Greensboro, Ga. But few days had elapsed
when the subject Of our sketch-a youth Of
sixteen summers-found himself an orphan !;
and, in virtue of his seniority, guardian Of sew
en- brothers and sisters. Disposng of them in
the best manner his limited resources would
allow, he joined company Of volunteers,
raised TO repel the invasions Of the Creeks;
and here commenced that military career,
which only closed when the difficulties Of his
country ceased. We do not propose to follow
it mp. Whoever is acquainted with the histo-
ry of the Indian wars-with the bloody battles
Of Burnt Corn and Holy Ground-the terrible
massacre of Fort Minis, the hazardous expedi-
tions of Claiborne, and the Seminole campaigns
Of Jackson-knows enough to appreciate the
iron nerve and daring intrepidity of Gen. Dale.
We will only notice few of those remarkable
adventures with which his life is SO repIete
His celebrated Canoe Fight, in the Alaba-
ma river, in which he and two Of his compan-
ions Drained, with clubbed rifles, nine Indian
warriors in fair and open combat, is kind of
household word with our old settlers. Every
old crone on the river could relate to you the
incidents Of The bloody conflict while her
aged partner, whose head had whitened with
the growing improvement of his State, would
hobble down to the bank, and point out the
very spot in the bright waters where the two
canoes met and if, perchance, the reader has
ever made a trip down the river, on that ele-
CANT boat which bears our hero's name, (Sam
Dale, } he has doubtless had designated to him.
by the courteous captain, the time-honored old
beech which marks the spot, as we'll as the
high projecting bank which had previously
sheltered the name-sake of his boat from the
fire Of the Indians.
Soon after the bloody tragedy of Fort Minis,
many of the whites, urged by their defence
less condition, and the increasing hostlities Of
the Indians, took refuge in Fort Madison. As
Gen Claiborne was prevented from marching
to their aid, by the hostile movements Of the
enemy about St. Stephens, Capt. Dale and
Col. Carson were left in command Of the Fort
As soon as his wounds, received at Burnt
Corn, were sufficiently healed, Dale deter
mined to change his line of conduct from de-
fensive to offensive. With seventy men, he
proceeded southwesterly TO Brazier's landing,
on the Alabama. Here they found two canoes,
belonging to negro, named Caesar, who in
formed them that there were Indians above
there, on each side of the river. He also ten
dered them the use of the canoes. and prof
fered to act as their pilot. Captain Dale i'm
nedatey placed the canoes in charge Of Jere-
miah Austil and six men, who were ordered
to keep them parallel with the party on land.
Arriving at the mouth of Randon's Creek, the
canoe party discovered boat, filled with Indi-
ans, who, however, Immediately padded TO the
shore and fled. The land party, finding it i'm
possible to continue their route, on account of
the thick cane and vines, were ordered to cross
over, and proceed upon the other sde While
they were eiiecting passage, Dale and sever
al of his men kindled fire short distance
from the river to prepare their days meal.
Thus engaged, they were fired upon by par
ty of Creeks from an ambuscade. Retreating
to the river, so as to gain the cover of the pro-
tecting bank, they discovered fat-bottomed