The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-01

which dislocated his left shoulder. But M
conquered yet, Dale thrust his bayonot I'M.
him, and as tho point hitohed against his ba.r
bone, he pressed him down, and drawing II ont
instantly, drove it through his heart.
The wounded savage who had never de.;...,
from his attempts to FIRE upon Dale, wss soon
dispatched land Dale, with seven warriors dead
at his feet, now stood alone within the blood
stained osnoei
The warrior in the stern had been vonra.,
by Smith, and In hand to hand soutas befor.
the boats parted. Austill had knocked ono 81
the Indians into the river. All three Of theas
valiant men had done brave deeds but Dali.
by his daring stratagem of entering the enemv,.
boat, where he crowded the savsges toeethe.
enabled the other two to use their weapons
more effectually, and to bring the contest to ita
glorious climax.
All this time their companions on both sides
of the river, unable to render any other assist.
anoe, encouraged the three heroes by their
cheers and shouts of " Remember Fort Nina u
After the unparalleled strife was over, LASTING
only ten minutes in all, the blood-stained VIC
tors, standing in full view of the shore, COM
menced to cast out the dead bodies of the slain
warriors.
Every time savage was raised up from
the bottom of the canoe by the head and heels.
and slung into the water, the Americans upon
the banks set up shouts, loud and long, as some
slight revenge for the tragedy of Fort Minis
Austill, the youngest hero of the canos.t FIGHT
removed to Mobile after the war, where. On.
gsging in commercial pursuits, he became q
successful merchant, much esteemed by all who
knew him. Less than twenty years ago, he was
in the enjoyment of vigorous health, and his
ow-citizsns had honored him as their repre-
sentative in the Legislature. We suppose the
gallant hero is now gathered to his fathers;
but, as he was born in 1894, it is not improba-
BILE for him still to be among the living, an
honor to the State he 30 gallantly defended,
and noble example to American youth of fear-
less courage and high hearted patriotism.
James Smith died after the war in East
Mississippi. "He as admired by every one for
his courage, honesty and willingness to defend
his country at all times and under all circum.
stances"
Samuel Dale, the leading spirit of the Canoe
fight, lived for many years in Alabama, pur.
suing the peaceful avocations of farmers
life. The miserable remnants of the Choctaw
nation lived upon his generosity, and even the
naughty Weatherford sought his friendship and
protection.
The State of Alabama, apprecistipg his noble
services, commissioned him Brevet Brigadiel
General, and as 6 grateful return for his devo-
| ton to her cause, granted him a pension fol-
life.
His last public service was the removal OF
| the Chootaws to their reservation on the Ar.
| kansas and Red Rivers. His family residence
near Daleville, Landerdale county, Miss, Wa
| purchased by him from the departing Indians
for, although pitiless foe to the Red men in
time of war, he was a generous friend to them
in their hour of need Alabama has also per.
petusted his honored name in one Of the coun-
| ties of that State.
1t may be interesting to us of New Orleans to
learn that this gallant hero once trod the streets
of our city, having been sent with dispatches
from Georgia to General jackson, who was
then preparing to drive the British out Of the
State.
In less than eight days, this fearless soldier
rode from the heart of Georgia, through an in
hospitable wilderness and treacherous people,
to this city. Upon reaching Jackson's head
quarters, on Royal street, Dale was informed
that the commanding General was below the
city with hia troops, enoamped upon the plains
! of Chalmette,
Dashing through the city, and riding down
the river front, Dale reached the ground in
| time to witness the glorious contest. 10 one
accustomed to border warfare, and gloomy
Indian ambascades, this magnificent battle De-
tween two civilized nations, was IN ost soul-stlr
ring and exciting, In his memoirs communi-
Gated to J. F. Fl. Claiborne, Dale describes the
scene as surprisingly grand-a msgnih0enS
vision.
The British soldiers, gallantly cheering their
men into the very Jaws of death, the battle line
advancing slowly and sternly towards inc
American INTERCHANGEABLE the fearful re-
coils, as whole detachments were swept away
by the discharge from our works and the
broadside of the Carolina, at that time an
chored on our highland then the dreadful re-
treat of the British columns not flying IN
gloriously, but staggering back like men reel
ing under unexpected and overpoWerinE
I