USA > Alabama > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 20
USA > Georgia > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 20
USA > Mississippi > History of Alabama, and incidentally of Georgia and Mississippi, from the earliest period. v. 2 > Part 20
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November 29
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Creeks rallied and fiercely attacked his rear ; but after a few CHAPTER rounds they were dispersed .* XXXV.
* Upon the campaigns of the Tennesseans under Jackson and Cocke, and the Georgians under Floyd, I have consulted the various works and public documents upon the late war, such as the lives of Jackson by Kendall, Cobbett, Eaton and Waldo, Russell's " History of the War," Brackenridge's History of the Late War, and the various American State Papers.
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
REMARKABLE CANOE FIGHT-BATTLE OF HOLY GROUND-MARCHI TO CAHAWBA OLD TOWNS.
CHAPTER XXXVI. 1813 October 4
RETURNING again to the seat of war, in the fork of the Tombigby and Alabama, it will be seen that Colonel William McGrew advanced in pursuit of a party of the enemy, with twenty-five mounted militia. Coming upon them at Talla- hatta, or Barshi Creek, a spirited action ensued. Colonel McGrew was killed, together with three of his company- the two Griffins and Edmund Miles-which put the remain- der of the Americans to flight.
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October 12
General Flournoy, who had restricted the operations of Claiborne to those of a defensive character, now ordered the latter to advance with his army, for the purpose of defending the citizens, while employed in gathering their crops; to drive the enemy from the frontiers, to follow them up to their con- tiguous towns, and to " kill, burn and destroy all their negroes, horses, cattle, and other property, that cannot conveniently be brought to the depots." General Flournoy admitted, in the same order, that such usage was contrary to that of civi- lized nations, but stated that the conduct of Great Britain and the acts of her Indian allies fully justified it. On the
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same day that these instructions were received, Claiborne, at the head of Major Hind's Mississippi dragoons, a part of the twelve months volunteers, and some companies of militia, marched from St. Stephens, crossed the Tombigby, and pro- ceeded, by an indirect route, to the northern boundary, where Colonel MeGrew had fallen. He found the body of that officer, and those of the privates, and interred them with military honors. On the march, small bodies of the enemy hovered around, but could not be brought into action. A picket of infantry was attacked, from an ambuscade, and three of them wounded; but before Major Hinds, who was a little in the rear, could come up, the assailants leaped down a precipice, and escaped the pursuit of Captain Foster's de- tachment. Remaining two days at Fort Easley, upon Baker's Bluff, Claiborne scoured the whole country with detachments. In these expeditions he had five of his men severely wounded, among whom was Capt. William Bradberry, who had acted so bravely at Burnt Corn. He was carried back to St. Stephens, and there died in great agony. . Failing to bring the Indians to action, being convinced that they were in very inconsiderable force, and becoming destitute of subsistence, Claiborne march- ed to " Pine Levels," in the neighborhood of some good farms, a mile east of the Tombigby. From this point he sent spies to the Alabama. He also sent a despatch to Flournoy, re- questing him to suffer all the disposable force to march imme- diately to the Creek country .*
CHAPTER XXXVI.
1813 October 16
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October 20
* Claiborne' MS. papers.
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The Indians were everywhere committing depredations, in small parties, and occasionally some of the settlers were killed. Tandy Walker, Benjamin Foster, and Evans, a colored man, had been despatched, by the citizens of Fort Madison, across the Alabama, in an eastern direction, as spies. Ap- proaching the late battle-ground, at Burnt Corn, they came upon a small camp of the enemy, upon whom they fired from a concealed position. The Indians fled with great precipi- tancy, while the spies seized some horses, plundered the camp, and retreated to Sisemore's Ferry. Here, late at night, while reposing in the cane, guns were fired upon them, and Evans was instantly killed. Walker escaped, with a wound in the side and a broken arm, but, the next day, crossed the Alabama upon a cane raft, and reached Fort Madison, where Foster, having already arrived, had reported his death .*
1813 November 5
Captain Samuel Dale, having now sufficiently recovered from his wounds, obtained the consent of Colonel Carson, who had returned to Fort Madison, to drive these small parties of the enemy from the frontiers. Dale was joined by a detach- 1 ment of thirty of Captain Jones's Mississippi volunteers, under Lieutenant Montgomery and forty Clarke county militia. Ge- rard W. Creagh-the same who was attached to his company at Burnt Corn-was his lieutenant upon this occasion. This expedition marched in a northern direction, visiting the aban- doned plantations, and frequently discovering old traces of November 11 Indians. Dale returned to the fort, and, the next day, march-
. * Conversations with old settlers.
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ed south-eastwardly, towards Brazier's Landing, now French's, where an Indian negro, named Caesar, who was in company, had two canoes concealed in the cane. In these they crossed the Alabama, at the close of the day, and bivouaced on the eastern bank. They were thinly clad, and the frost was severe. When the sun first made its appearance over the tall canes, Captain Dale put his command in motion, and marched up the eastern bank, after having placed the canoes in charge of Jeremiah Austill, with six men, with orders to keep the boats parallel with those who marched on foot. Arriving opposite the farm of the late Dixon Bailey, who had heroically fallen at Fort Mims, as we have seen, Dale entered the boats, went over to the place, aud discovered fresh signs of the mysterious foe, with whose habits he was so well acquainted. No sooner had he returned to his command, on the eastern side, than Austill discovered a canoe, occupied by Indians, descending the river, whom he immediately approached. They tacked about, paddled up the river, and disappeared in the thick cane, near the mouth of Randon's Creek. A few minutes only elapsed before a heavy firing ensued, up the creek, where the expedi- tion had encountered some savages on horseback-Captain Dale's rifle, which unhorsed one of these Indians, having given the aların. The yell was raised, and they made an attempt to charge ; but the hot fire of the Americans com- pelled them to make a precipitate retreat, with one of their number killed and several severely wounded.
In the meantime, Austill had reached Randon's plantation, with the canoes, a quarter of an hour in advance of the main
CHAPTER XXXVI. ..
1813
November 12
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CHAPTER XXXVI. party .* When they came up, Dale ordered them to cross to the western side, as it was found impracticable to continue the route on the eastern, on account of the cane and thick vines. While the company of Captain Jones or Lieutenant Mont- gomery was being ferried over, Captain Dale, Jere. Austill, Lieutenant Creagh, James Smith, John Elliott, a half-breed, Brady, and six others, occupied a position in a small field, between a sand bluff and the river, where, kindling a fire, they began to boil some beef and roast a few potatoes, for their morning repast. When all the command had passed the river except these men, and immediately after the negro, Cæsar, had returned, with the smaller canoe, the men from the western side gave the alarm that the Indians were rapidly descending upon those who occupied the little field. They sprang up from their hasty meal, retreated to the river-side, and were partially screened from the enemy's fire by a small bank. While in this perilous situation, hemmed in by the Indians and the river, their attention was directed to a large flat-bottomed canoe, containing eleven warriors. Naked, and painted in a variety of fantastic colors, while a panther-skin encircled the head of the Chief, and extended down his back, these Indians presented a picturesque and imposing appear- ance. For some reason, those in the rear now retired, leaving Dale and his little party free to attack those in the canoe. November 12
1613 The red voyagers, apparently unapprised of their danger,
* Randon was a wealthy Indian countryman, who was massacred at Fort Mims.
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glided gently down the river, sitting erect, with their guns before them. Dale and his party immediately opened a fire upon them, which they promptly returned. Several rounds were afterwards exchanged, resulting, however, in but little injury, as the Indians now lay flat in the canoe, exposing nothing but their heads. At length, two of the latter, cau- tiously getting into the water, swam for the shore, above the field, holding their guns dry above their heads. They swam near the land, above the mouth of a stream, over whose muddy bottom Austill and Smith crossed with. difficulty, to pursue them. When near the Indians, the buckskin leggins of Austill, suspended by a band around his waist, fell about his feet, from the weight of water in them, causing him to slip, and be precipitated down the bluff. At that moment, a ball from Smith's unerring rifle perforated the head of one of the Indians, who immediately turned over upon his back, and then sunk. The other gained the bank and ascended it, keep- ing Smith off with his gun, which he pretended was charged. Austill, who had now gained the top of the bluff, pursued the Indian up the stream, when a gun was fired, the contents of which passed just over his head. Imagining himself among the enemy, and hesitating for a moment, the savage escaped. The fire proved to be from Lieutenant Creagh's gun, who, in the thick cane, supposed Austill to be the warrior, in whose pursuit he was likewise engaged. While these things were rapidly transpiring, Dale ordered the large canoe to be manned on the opposite shore, and to be brought over, to capture the Indians who were still in their canoe. Eight men sprang
CHAPTER XXXVI.
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CHAPTER XXXVI. into it, but having approached near enough to see the number of fierce warriors still alive, and ready to defend themselves to desperation, this cautious party rapidly paddled back to the western side. The exasperated Dale now proposed that some of his men should follow him, in the small canoe, which was immediately acquiesced in. Dale leaped down the bank, into the boat, and was followed by Smith and Austill. All the others were anxious to go, but it afforded room for no 1813 November 12 more. The noble Caesar paddled towards the Indian's canoe, and, when within twenty yards of it, the three resolute Ame- ricans rose, to give them a broadside; but only the gun of Smith fired, for the other two had, unfortunately, wet their priming. Cæsar was ordered to paddle up, and to place his boat side by side with that of the warriors. Approaching within ten feet, the Chief, recognizing Dale, exclaimed, "Now FOR IT, BIG SAM !"" At the same instant, he presented his gun at Austill's breast. That brave youth struck at him with an oar, which he dodged, and, in return, he brought down his rifle upon Austill's head, just as the canoes came together. At that moment, the powerful arms of Smith and Dale raised their long rifles, which came down, with deadly force, and felled the Chief to the bottom of the canoe-his blood and brains bespattering its sides. Such was the force of the blow inflicted by Dale, that his gun was broken near the lock.
* Dale had long been a trader among the Indians, and, on account of his prowess and large frame, was familiarly called by them " Big Sam."
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Seizing the heavy barrel, still left, he did great execution with it, to the end of the combat. Austill, in a moment, engaged with the second warrior, and then with a third, both of whom he despatched with his clubbed rifle. Smith, too, was equally active, having knocked down two Indians. Cæsar had, by this time, got the canoes close together, and held them with a mighty grasp, which enabled Dale, who was in the advance, and the others, to maintain a firm footing, by keeping their feet in both canoes. These brave men now mowed down the savages, amid the encouraging shouts of the men on both sides of the river, who had a full view of the deadly confliet. In the midst of this unparalleled strife, a lusty Indian struck Austill with a war-club, which felled him across the sides of the two boats, and, while prostrate, another had raised his club to dash out his brains, when Dale, by a timely blow, buried his heavy rifle barrel deep in the warrior's skull. In the meantime, Austill recovered his feet, and, in a desperate scuffle with another savage, knocked him into the river with the club which he had wrested from him. The only word spoken during the fight was the exclamation of the Chief, upon recognizing Dale, and the request of Caesar, for Dale to make use of his bayonet and musket, which he handed to him. Having laid all the warriors low, these undaunted Americans began to cast them into the bright waters of the Alabama, their native stream, now to be their grave. Every time a 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 sent up shouts, loud and long, as some slight
CHAPTER XXXVI.
1813 November 12
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CHAPTER revenge for the tragedy of Fort Mims. Just as the last body XXXVI. found its watery grave, a ball, shot by the Indians from the eastern side, struck one of the canoes, and was followed by other discharges, but without effect. After the fight had ended, eight athletic Indians were thrown out of the canoe. It will be recollected that there were eleven in the boat when first seen, and that two of them had swum ashore, and the other one Austill had knocked out before the conflict ended.
1813 November 12
The Indian canoe presented a sight unusually revolting- several inches deep in savage blood, thickened with clods of brains and bunches of hair. In this sanguinary bark, and the one paddled by Casar, the nine Americans who had been left on the eastern side were now conveyed across, to the oppo- site bank, where the heroes received the warm congratulations of their companions, who exultingly surrounded them.
The expedition then marched up to Curnell's Ferry, two miles distant, and, seeing no more of the enemy, and being out of provisions, returned that night to Fort Madison. It is remarkable, that no one received the least injury, except Aus- till, whose head and arms were severely bruised .*
A short biographical sketch of these heroes may not be
* Conversations with Colonel Gerard W. Creagh, who witnessed the canoe fight, while standing in full view, upon the eastern bank of the Alabama, and Colonel Jeremiah Austill, of Mobile, one of the heroes. Among the MS. papers of General Claiborne I also found the report of Captain R. Jones, of the first regiment of Mississippi Volunteers, re- specting the " cunoe fight," which fixes the date of that affair.
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uninteresting, after a recital of their unsurpassed "hand-to- CHAPTER hand " fight, in the unsteady canoes, on the deep Alabama. XXXVI.
Jeremiah Austill was born near the Oconee Station, in Pendleton District, South-Carolina, on the 10th August, 1794. His father, Captain Evan Austill, has already been mentioned, as one of those who boldly remained to defend Fort Madison, after it had been evacuated by Colonel Carson. His mother was the only sister of Colonel David Files, who died in this State, in 1820. At the time of the canoe expedition, Jere. Austill was nineteen years of age, and weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds, without any surplus flesh. He was bold, active and strong, and had been raised upon the Indian frontiers, having lived some time at the Agency, in the Chero- kee nation. He is still a resident of Mobile, and is regarded as a respectable gentleman. Since the canoe fight, he has filled several important offices, and represented the people of Mo- bile in the legislature. His countenance is open and manly, his eyes keen and piercing, of a dark brown color, his form is erect, and his step elastic. Even now, at the age of fifty- six, Colonel Austill is capable of being a very troublesome adversary, in a desperate rencounter, although one of the most peaceable and amiable men in the country, in the ordi- nary pursuits of life.
James Smith was a native of Georgia, of low stature, well set,. weighed one hundred and sixty-five pounds, and was twenty-five years of age at the period of the canoe fight. He was a brave, daring, frontier man, and died in East Missis- sippi, several years ago. He was a man of great prowess,
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
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and had killed several Indians in former expeditions. He was admired by every one for his courage, honesty, and willing- ness to defend his country, at all times and under all circum- stances.
Captain Samuel Dale, of Irish extraction, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1772. In 1775, his father moved to Glade Hollow, on the Clinch river, in the county of Washington, Virginia, and was actively engaged in the bor- der warfare of that day. In 1784, he removed, with his family, to the vicinity of Greensborough, Georgia, where he purchased a farm, but, in a short time, was compelled to take refuge in Carmichael's Station, in consequence of the inroads of the Indians. Several desperate attempts were made to burn this fort, in one of which Captain Autery was slain. About this time, Mr. Dale and his wife died, leaving eight children. Samuel, the subject of this memoir, who was the oldest, placed the children upon the farm, and joined a company of troopers, raised by Captain Fosh, to watch the movements of the Creeks, which was soon after mustered into the federal service, and quartered on the Oconee, at a place called Fort Mathews. Towards the close of 1794, this troop had several engagements with the savages, in which Dale displayed those traits which so distinguished his subsequent career-vigilance, perseverance, energy, and dauntless courage. At Ocfuske, on the Chattahoochie, he slew two Indians. Soon after, having been elected colonel, and stationed, at the head of a separate command, at Fort Republic, on the Apa- lache river, in Georgia, he rendered efficient services, until the
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troops were disbanded. Then he became a trader among the Creeks and Cherokees, purchasing his goods in Savannah, and exchanging them for cattle and ponies. He also acted in the capacity of guide, to many parties emigrating to the Mississippi Territory. He finally established a trading-house, in co-partnership with a half-breed, in what is now known as Jones county, Georgia, where he remained for some time. He was at Tookabatcha when Tecumseh appeared there, and assured Colonel Hawkins that the mission of that man would result in great evil, unless his efforts were immediately coun- teracted; but the Agent did not concur with him in that opinion. His bravery has been seen at Burnt Corn, and in the canoe fight. At the time of the latter, Captain Dale weighed one hundred and ninety pounds, was over six feet high, possessed a large muscular frame, without any surplus flesh, and was in the prime of life. Although he will be mentioned hereafter, in connection with the Indian wars, we deem it proper, in further illustration of his character, to insert the following well-written obituary, published in the " Natchez Free Trader," from the pen of John II. F. Claiborne, formerly a member of Congress from Mississippi, and the son of the general of that name, whose military services are now under review :
"I have not observed, in your paper, any notice of the death of our veteran friend, GENERAL SAMUEL DALE. He died at his residence. Daleville, Lauderdale county, on the 23d ult., with the fortitude of a soldier and the resignation of a christian. On his dying bed, he repeated, as I am
CHAPTER XXXVI.
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1841 June 15
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informed, a request, which he made last summer, that I should make a memoir of his life, most of the particulars of which I wrote down from his lips. I design visiting Lauder- dale, in a few weeks, to obtain all the materials that remain. Few men have run a career so full of benevolent actions and of romantic adventure, and no man was ever better adapted to the country and the period in which he lived-that country the frontiers of Georgia, Florida, and the (then) Mississippi Territory, embracing all the present State of Alabama-the period including nearly all that bloody interval between the close of the revolution and the termination of the last war. With the story of these times, the dreadful massacre at Fort Mims, the battle of the Holy Ground, General Jackson's Seminole campaigns, and the earlier events of the Georgia frontier, General Dale was closely connected. The most affecting of those scenes of murder and conflagration are as yet unwritten, and live only in the fading memorials of bor- der tradition. In preparing the life of General Dale, I shall seek to put many of them on record. As a scout, a pilot to the emigrants who blazed the first path through the Creek nation, from Georgia to the Tombigby, with arms in their hands, and subsequently, as a spy among the Spaniards, at Pensacola, and as a partisan officer, during the most sangui- nary epochs of the late war, present at every butchery, re- markable for "hair-breadth 'scapes," for caution and coolness in desperate emergencies, for exhibitions of gigantic personal strength and great moral courage, his story is studded over with spirit-stisring incidents, unsurpassed by any thing in
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legend or history. His celebrated 'canoe fight,' where, in CHAPTER the Alabama river, he, with Smith and Austill, fought nine XXXVI. warriors, with clubbed rifles, killed them all, and rowed to shore, would be thought fabulous, if it had not been witnessed by many soldiers, standing upon the banks, who could render them no assistance. Some years before, he was attacked by two warriors, who shouted their war-whoop, as he was kneel- ing down to drink, and rushed upon him with their toma- hawks. He knifed them both, and, though bleeding from five wounds, he retraced their trail nine miles, crept stealthily to their camp, brained three sleeping warriors, and cut the thongs of a female prisoner, who lay by their side. While in this act, however, a fourth sprang upon him, from behind a log. Taken at such a disadvantage, and exhausted by the los's of blood, he sank under the serpent-grasp of the savage, who, with a yell of triumph, drew his knife, and, in a few moments, would have closed the contest. At that instant, however, the woman drove a tomahawk deep into the head of the Indian, and thus preserved the life of her deliverer.
" Shortly after the treaty of Dancing Rabbit, our deceased friend settled in what is now known as Lauderdale county ; and it is worthy of remark, that, at the first election, (1836, I believe,) when he was chosen to the legislature, but ten votes were cast. Now the county could probably poll 750, and, in every direction, its fleecy fields, its fine flour-mills, its school-houses and churches, indicate a thriving, enlightened and moral population.
"One anecdote of the old general is so similar to an event
VOL. II.
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CHAPTER in Roman history, that I cannot forbear relating it. The XXXVI. Consul Acquilius, returning from a campaign, was allowed a triumph, but shortly afterwards was arraigned for some mis- demeanor, committed during his foreign service. He called no exculpatory evidence, nor deigned to court the favor of his judges, but when about to receive sentence, he tore open his vest, and displayed the wounds he had received in the service of his country. A sudden emotion of pity seized the court, and unfixed the resolution which, a few moments before, they had taken, to condemn the accused. Some time ago, General Dale, being in Mobile, was held to bail as endorser upon a note. The debt was in the hands of a stranger. Accompa- nied by an officer, he sought the creditor, and found him in the saloon of Cullum's far-famed hotel. 'Sir,' said the gen- eral, ' I have no money to pay this debt. The principal has property -- make him pay it, or let me go home and work it out.' The Shylock hesitated. . Very well,' said the veteran. in tones that rang indignantly through the apartment, 'Very well, sir! Look at my scars! I will march to juil down MAIN STREET, and all Mobile shall witness the treatment of an old soldier !' These simple words fell like electricity upon that high-toned people. In half an hour, a dozen of the , brightest names of the city were on the bond, and before morning the debt was paid, and a full discharge handed to the general. I have seen the manly tears chasing down his cheek, as the aged warrior dwelt on these recollections of the generous citizens. In person, General Dale was tall, erect, raw-boned aml muscular. In many respects, physical and
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