Famous 'canoe fight' took place near Claiborne, Alabama in 1813

From “Chapter LVII: The County of Monroe” in “Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men From 1540 to 1872” by Willis Brewer:

Fifteen miles below Claiborne by the river, and half that distance by land, near the mouth of Randon’s creek, the famous “Canoe Fight” occurred Jan. 12, 1813. A small body of volunteers were scouting and came to the river, when the greater number of them crossed to the west side in the only two canoes to be had. Suddenly a fierce attack was made on the rear guard on the east bank, by a large force of Indians.

Almost simultaneously, a canoe containing nine warriors came down the stream. Observing with anxiety this attempt to cut off their retreat, Capt. Samuel Dale, Jeremiah Austill and James Smith sprang into a canoe and were rowed by a Negro out into the stream to meet the hostile party, who were lying in their canoe. When the boats came in collision, the brave Negro, Caesar, leaped into the water and held them together.

Both parties sprang to their feet and the bloody work began, mainly with clubbed guns. The fight was hand to hand, but the savages had the disadvantage of a crowded boat. Within a few minutes though they fought courageously, the savage crew were all dispatched, while the three intrepid white men suffered only severe contusions.

Of the heroes of this remarkable fight, a memorandum of one is given below, and another is mentioned in the chapter devoted to Clarke County. The other James Smith, a native of Georgia, died in east Mississippi about the year 1845. The combat was witnessed by the hostile parties, who suspended their fire while it was in progress, and the savages seemed to accept the result as decisive of the conflict, for they very soon withdrew.