The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-09-18
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has all the excitement of romance about
IT, A party of adventures having fallen
on the stores of body of Indians, deter
mined to partake of the provisions they
had found. In the field on the bank OF
the river they kindled fire for the pur-
pose of cooking these, and were about,
in the language of Dale, the leader of the
party, " to mako use of the 'briled' bones
and hot ashcake," when they were star
tied by the discharge of several rifles,
and the sudden war-whoops of some twen-
tY-tive or thirty Indians, who came rush
ing towards them from three sides Of the
field. Dale's party Immediately seized
thoir rifles, and being too few to oppose
the force Of the enemy. dashed down the
second CT upper bank of the river, and
took post among the trees, whence they
keptin check the approach of the savages.
BY this time the canoes had conveyed
all but twelve of the entire force to the
opposite side of the river, and one canoe
alone had returned for the residue. This
was the first thought of the little party,
who wore now hemmed in by the Indians.
But simultaneously with the attack by
land, large canoe, containing eleven
warriors, had issued from bend in the
river above, and descended rapidly, with
slle evident design Of intercepting COM
Snunication with the opposite shore. They
now attempted to approach the shore and
join in the attack, but were kept at dis
tance by we'll directed fire of a few of
Dale's men. Two of their number, how
ever, leaped into the river, and swan,
with their rifles above their heads, for the
bank, just above the mouth of little
creek, near the northern corner of the
field. One of these as he approached the
shore, was shot by Smith; but Austill, in
attempting to intercept the other was
thrown by the underwood and rolled into
the>water within few feet of his antag-
onist. The Indian reached the shore and
ran up the bank. Austill, in pursuing
him through the cane WAS fred et, in mic
take for an Indian, by Sreagh, and mar
rowly escaped.
During this by-scenc, Dale and the
other eight of his valiant companions
were interchanging hot fires with the en-
envy: Those in the canoe sheltered them
selves by lying in its bottom and firing
over the Sides The party on shore were
deferred from pressing closely by an ig-
norance of the number of Dale's forces.
This cause alone saved them from certain
destruction. But the circumstances were
now growing more critical. Soon the In
dams must discover the weakness of their
opponents, and rush forward with irrcsis-
eible superiority A more perilous posi-
lion can scarcely be imagined, and yet
there was one in this contest.
Dale, seeing the superiority of the enc
my, called out to his comrades on the op-
posite shore for assistance. They had
+hus far remained inefficient, but excited
SPECTATORS Of the scene. But now eight
of their number leaped into their canoe,
and bore out towards the enemy. Upon
approaching near enough, however, TO
discover the number of the Indians, the
man in the bow, becoming alarmed at the
sI,periority of the foe, ordered the paddles
to "back water," and they returned to
land!- Dale, indignant at this cowardice,
demanded of his men, who would Join
him in an attack upon the Indian canoe?
Austill and Smith Immediately volun-
teefed; and with a negro sherman,
named Caesar, the little party embarked
for the dreadful encounter.
AS they approached, one Of the Indians
fred without effect When within thirty
feet, Smith fired, and probably wounded
one Of the Indians, whose shoulder was
visible above the canoe. Dale and Aus
ill attempted to fire, but their priming
having been dampened, their guns could
aot be discharged. Fortunately the In
dians had exhausted their powder. The
white party now bore down in silence
lpon the foe. AS the boats came in con-
,.lct at the bows, the Indians all leaped to
their feet. Austill was in front, and bore
for moment the brunt of the battle.
But by the order of Dale, the negro
swayed round the canoe, and "Big Sam "
leaped into the enemy's boat, giving more
room to Smith and Austill, and pressing
together the Indians, who were already
o,,o,,-dod Tho nnrro occunied his