The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-01
21ETcHRs OF 1LABAMA HISTORY.
NUMBER THREE.

"The canoe fght," as it Is simply called in
Alabama history, 10 one of those exhibitions OF
personal prowess which would be disoredited
by sober judgment If met with en- the page Of
any novel /; but which, coming to No in the IN
mistakable gsrb Of truth, is unparalleled in
the records of modern warfare and unsurpassed
by any deed of ancient heroism.
Pickett, the grave historian, has recorded it
in his excellent work on Alabama; Judge
Meek, the distinguished poet, has also en-
balmed the event upon his classic pages; and
j. F. FL. Claiborne, son of the American hero,
has given the particulars in his interest
ing biography of the principal actor, 30 that
we have no reason to question even the details
of the sketch now placed before our readers
After the fall of Fort Minis, bands of ma
rauding Indians continued to prowl about the
scenes of their cruelties, committing depreda-
tions of every kind, and sweeping off whole
families in their remorseless hate. Captain
Samuel Dale, who had borne gallant part in
the battle of Burnt Corn, obtained permission
from the commanding general to drive these
small parties Of the enemy from the country,
and accordingly started in November, 1919,
with body of thirty men to explore the ooun-
try along the banks of the Alabama. This
force was accompanied by two canoes, which
had been ordered to keep course parallel
with the route on shore.
Every where they met traces of the Indian,
ins smoking ruins and mutilated oorpses but
on the 18th of that month Dale's party came
in sight of thirty warriors, upon the eastern
bank of the river. These the Americans dis
persed, killing several, and then prepared to
cross to the other side as the dense canebrake
rendered further marching along the eastern
bank impractioable. The greater number Of
men had been safely crossed, Dale and about
six of his men still remaining upon the scene
of their late skirmish, when large canoe,
containing eleven Indian warriors, was seen
slowly gliding down the river. Dale shouted
to his men on the opposite shore to man the
large canoe and cross for him, to attack
the savages, who as yet were unconscious of
the force within the cspebrake. In the mean.
time Dale opened FIRE upon the canoe, which
was promptly returned; two of the Indians
plunging into the river and swimming towards
the shore, holding their guns high above their
heads. Dale, dashing forward, headed them
off, and the warriors lesped from the water,
ball from his unerriDg rifle killed the fore
most, while James Smith killed the second.
There were now nine Indians in the boat,
chief, with panther skin encircling his head
and extending down his back, presented a
fierce and defiant aspect. They were all armed
with rifles, and continued firing at Dale's
party; while three of them sprang over the
| side of the boat so to work her out into deep
| water.
The canoe from the western side had been
manned by eight of Dsles party but on near
| ha Ind I'M
alarm, and hastily backed towards the shore.
Dale, enrsged at their cowardice, now called
to Cesar, q negro VITO had charge of the
smaller boat, TO bring it over to him. Seeing
him hesitate, Dale swore he would shoot him
| the moment he got across. Ce sar then brought
the boat over, a hundred yards below the
savages; and Dale, leaping in, was followed
by only two men, James Smith and Jere Aus
till. All the other brave fellows wished to
join Dale, but the boat was too small to hold
any more. Jere Austill was only nineteen
years of age, James Smith was twenty -four,
and Dale was in the very prime of man hood.
AS the negro Cesar padded towards the In
| dian canoe, the nine force warriors smiled
with scorn at the prny force brought against
| them. One of them had been wounded by the
American fire, and was reclining in the stern
| of the boat three were swimming along side,
and defantly dared the white men to fire, ex-
claiming, Why don't you shootp One, with
his hands on the side of the pirogue, rose from
| the water to shout his challenge Dale, taking
sight between his fingers, lodged bullet in
his brain, and the dead brave sank without a
sound.
The two boats were now within forty PAGES
of each other, and the three men in Caesars
boat levelled their guns, aud all three missed
6rel One of the Indians hurled his scalpine-
knife at Dale's head; but, grazing his thigh,
it pierced the boat through and through. As
the canoes touched each other, Dale leaped up,
placing one foot in the indiana piregue. The
Indians had already nearly exhausted their
ammunition; but the foremost warrior aimed
his gun at Dsle's breast, but the fire flashed in
the pan. Quick as lightning the bafil sd war
rior dubbed his piece and dashed q furious
blow at Dale. This the heroic leader parted,