Fiske, Samuel

Fiske, Samuel a Congregational minister, was born in Shelburne, Mass., July 23, 1828, and was educated at Amherst College, where he graduated in 1848. After two years spent in teaching, he studied theology at Andover until 1852, when he became tutor at Amherst, where he remained until 1855, when he sailed for Europe and the East. His letters describing this journey were collected under the title of Mr. Dunn Browne's Experiences in foreign Parts (Boston, 1857, 12mo), and abound with wit, humor, and graphic power. . In 1857 he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Madison, Conn., where he was remarkably useful and successful. During the Civil War his patriotism led him to join the army; and failing to secure a chaplaincy, he entered the service as private, but soon rose to be captain. While in service he wrote Mr. Dunn Brown's Experiences in the Army (Boston, 1866, 12mo). Made prisoner at Chancellorsville, he spent some time in Libby prison, Richmond. He fell in the first battle of the Wilderness, May 6,1864. His Christian life in the army was kept up as at home, and he was more than a chaplain could be to his men. He was a Christian officer, illustrating in camp, and on the march, and in battle the noblest Christian character. He decidedly rebuked all the vices of the army; he gently soothed the sick and wounded, prayed with the dying and over the dead. Touching memories of him have been recalled in our hospitals at the mention of his name. 'Oh,' said one in Washington, 'he is the man who put his arm around me so kindly, and begged me to promise him that I would never utter another oath, and I never have.' Said another: 'Captain Fiske - oh yes; he helped me off the field after that dreadful battle, gave me his blanket, and spoke kind words of cheer that helped to keep me alive.' Multitudes could testify of his fidelity to them. It was his daily duty to care both for the bodies and the souls of all about him."--New Englander, January, 1866, art. iv; Congregational Quarterly, 1866, art. i.