The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-10


piece of unpublished history in
IlT2Eyl the form Of some of the reminis-
- censes Of the late DR.. Ezra w.
Fisk. a Presbyterian minister. who died in
this city several years ago. DR.. Fisk was
noted for his fine memory and his deep in
terest in everything pertaining TO his cOun-
try's history and its prominent men. lie
was a native of the East, a student in
Princeton College, and q minister OF the
gospel for long period. These elements
in his personality made It possible for him
10 meet the most distinguished men the
country had during a very long period, and
his wonderful mind enabled him 10 repeat
word for word. conversations Of these men,
and to give charming recollections Of their
characteristics. He was personally ac-
quainted with John quincy Adams. Andrew
jackson, Martin Van Buren,, William Henry
Harrison. Willard Fillmore, James Buchan-
an, Andrew Johnson. General Grant, hu-
therford B. Hayes. and he knew the late
Benjamin Harrison from 1856. His list OIL
friends, in addition to those just Named
included a host who were at one time Ia
nous in the civil. military and religious
life Of the United States, among them Dan
lei Webster, Henry Clay, Tom Benton. Cen
eral Houston Secretary Dallas, William ii.
Seward Stephen A. Douglas, Commodore
Stockton Colonel Fremont, and almost all
OF Indiana's Governors. Each Of these he
remembered distinctly, and was able to give
bits Of Information about them that would
enrich any writings concerning them.
DIT. Fisk lived in this city for many years,
and had prominent place In its educatlonaI
and religious development, but TO the
transcription of his mental notes, a work
which would have been as valuable as any
thing he did, he thought he could not de-
vote the required time. II was not until a
short time before his last illness that he
could be induced TO do anything in this line,
and that was by dictation. These notes
were misplaced a short time after they
were taken, until recently. A review of
them brings out some things OF especial in
terest, chief among them. probably, being
his recollections Of conversations he had in
his youth with men that were soldiers I'M
der General Washington in the Revolution,
and personal "reminiscences Of William
Henry Harrison with bits from the con-
versations of men who were in General Har-
rison's various armies. The most interest
ing matter that was given DR.. Fisk con-
corning General Harrison was from the late
Mai George Black, a native of Kentucky,
who was of Revolutionary war descent. and
who founded in this county family which
has for many years been prominent in civil
and business life.
IN IIARRISON'S ARMY.
Major Black was an officer in the famous
body OF Kentuckians organized by Col.
Richard NJ Johnson and known as john
sons Mounted Rihemen. whose oackwoods
tactics created CONSERVATION among the
British and Indians and who fought with
gaIlantry in the campaign OF General Har-
rison against the British and Indians in the
war of 1912. The notes of Major Black S
conversations with DR.. Fisk begin with the
time of the pursuit OF General Harrison
and his force after General Proctor and
the Indian chief, Tecumseh, from Fort
Meigs in September of 1913. The most
thrilling account. probably. is of the hours
Immediately preceding the attack on the
British at the river Thames. In it some
valuable additional information is given of
the circumstances which gave rise to the
disputed report that Tecumseh killed
by Colonel Johnson himself. Major Black.
DIR. Fisks narrator, was witness of the
incident mentioned. Major Black said to
DIR. Fisk:
General Harrison came up with the Brit
river. Colonel Johnson's troops were or
dered TO lie on their arms that night" In
response 10 a question from DR.. Fisk as to
how that was accomplished by cavalrymen,
Major Black said:
why, we were drawn up in a single
line: each man. dismounting tied the prin-
cipaI bride rein over the horses head, and,
with a short strap. the brides of the
al hQr he r11aO
then lay down with their feet toward the
horses heads, each with his horses bride
buckled over his own ankle. The men lay
on the unrolled knapsack, with his saber
at his left side and his rifle at his right.
with the muzZle at his feet.
"A most laughable incident occurred, I"
continued Major Black 10 DR.. Fisk,
Through the grieving of one young sol
was very fair blooded mare. The young
man finally said to me: 1t is too bad for
this young FLY Of mine TO stand here
champing that heavy dragon bit all night.
Her mouth is tired now. So he took her
bride off and after fastening her some
other way. lay down TO sleep. But in the
morning the bride was no more TO be found.
1t had been stolen during the night and
although he ransacked the whole camp,
he couldn't find trace of it. OF course
he was jeered at by his comrades for los
ing his bride on the night before battle,
but he vas equal to the occasion. Like all
us Kentuckians, he had his big red ban
diagonaly, tied one end to his horse s
lower jaw, Indian fashion, and mounted for
battle. The Kentuckians were thrown into
a column.
THE ATTACK ORDERED.
General Harrison rode up to Colonel
Johnson and said:
Colonel the British are drawn up, can
you charge and break them?
Colonel Johnson replied:
We can try and General Harrison said,
81 will assist you"
Turning to bis column, Colonel Johnson
said:
Now boys. we have to fight"
Major Black. Dr. Fisk's narrator, was the
left man in the fourth rank of the column
of horsemen and he told DIR. Fisk that he
said TO the colonel: "All right, Colonel,
we came here TO fight"
The attack was at once ordered on the
British infantry, which was composed
mainly OF English regulars, and the column
moved forward with a rush. ut was re-
ceived with a deadly fire." said Major
Black. but we didn't hesitate. But the
"a Al IVA