Minisink Battle
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This monument gradually fell into decay and no measures were taken to preserve it. 
In 1860, Merrit H. Cook, M. D., a resident of Orange County, bequeathed four thousand dollars for a new one, which was dedicated on the 83d anniversary of the battle, on which occasion John C. Dimmick, a native of Bloomingburgh, officiated as orator of the day. Mrs. Abigail Mitchell, a daughter of Captain Bezaleel Tyler (slain a the battle of Minisink), was present, and witnessed the ceremonies. She was five years old at the time of the battle, and had resided the greater part of her life at Cochecton. On the 22d of July, 1879, the one hundredth anniversary of the Minisink battle, a large enthusiastic gathering was held on the battle-ground. Although the approach to the place was rough and exceedingly difficult, it being necessary to cut a road through the woods for the occasion, upwards of two thousand persons were present at the ceremony. A monument was set upon the ground sacred to the blood of the slain heroes, and dedicated in commemoration of their services.
In 1860, Merrit H. Cook, M. D., a resident of Orange County, bequeathed four thousand dollars for a new one, which was dedicated on the 83d anniversary of the battle, on which occasion John C. Dimmick, a native of Bloomingburgh, officiated as orator of the day. Mrs. Abigail Mitchell, a daughter of Captain Bezaleel Tyler (slain a the battle of Minisink), was present, and witnessed the ceremonies. She was five years old at the time of the battle, and had resided the greater part of her life at Cochecton. On the 22d of July, 1879, the one hundredth anniversary of the Minisink battle, a large enthusiastic gathering was held on the battle-ground. Although the approach to the place was rough and exceedingly difficult, it being necessary to cut a road through the woods for the occasion, upwards of two thousand persons were present at the ceremony. A monument was set upon the ground sacred to the blood of the slain heroes, and dedicated in commemoration of their services. It was on one pleasant morning in June that we left the hotel at Lackawaxen before the people were astir, and crossing the Delaware and Hudson aqueduct, began the winding ascent of the mountain. After a brisk walk of about two miles we came to the residence of Mr. Horace E. Twichell, to whom we had a letter of introduction. That gentleman kindly volunteered to go with us to the battle-ground, which lies partly on his premises, and locate the points of interest.
Mr. Horace E. Twichell, to whom we had a letter of introduction. That gentleman kindly volunteered to go with us to the battle-ground, which lies partly on his premises, and locate the points of interest. On the neck of land there is a huge boulder. Behind this natural rampart, a hunter had taken his position on the day of the fight, and while his comrades loaded the guns for him, he effectually swept the only available approach to the battle-ground, as to keep the whole force of Indians at bay during the entire contest. At length the hunter was killed, and the Indians, taking advantage of the circumstances, rushed in and the battle became a rout.
A few yards from this rock, screened on all sides by the contour of the ground and the protecting ledge, the spot was pointed out where for years lay the skeletons of the brave Dr. Tusten and his seventeen slain companions, who were all tomahawked and scalped after the battle was over. Further on stands an old pine tree, on which are the initials “J. B.,” believed to have been cut in the bark by the Indian fighter, Joseph Brandt.
An incident of the battle was related to me while rambling over the field. A soldier was assisting a wounded comrade to escape. The Indians were heard in close pursuit, and the wounded man soon saw that all efforts on his part were fruitless. So taking his pocket-book and papers he handed them to his companion, with the request that he give them to his wife at Goshen, and bade him leave him to his fate. The man made good his escape, and delivered the package and money as directed.
Mother McGowan, still living at Handsome Eddy, used to see the skeletons around the spring to the east of the battle-ground, and remembers seeing some of the soldiers that were engaged in the battle. Mr. Isaac Mills, about forty years ago, found a skeleton about three-fourths of a mile from the battle-field. Judge Thomas H. Ridgeway, of Lackawaxen, informed us that he remembers going to pick huckleberries on the mountain seventy years ago, when the skeletons of the slain Minisink heroes lay thickly scattered about among the bushes, and distinctly recalls his childish fears of the bones.
Judge Thomas H. Ridgeway, of Lackawaxen, informed us that he remembers going to pick huckleberries on the mountain seventy years ago, when the skeletons of the slain Minisink heroes lay thickly scattered about among the bushes, and distinctly recalls his childish fears of the bones. Near the foot of the monument, entirely covered up with loose slate, was found the skeleton of a man. This was probably the work of the Indians, who, for some reason, gave this man a sepulture.
The round stone on the top of the monument is a white flint boulder, found in the Delaware river near the spot where the Indian was shot by the scouts previous to the battle.
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