John Fisk enlisted from Otego, Otsego County, NY, on September 2, 1812, and was a corporal in Saunder's Co., of the New York Militia. He was taken prisoner in the battle of Greentown, held at Fort George until October 17, 1812, and then exchanged. John re-enlisted in this war in Machias, Cattaraugus County, NY, on July 28, 1814, and was discharged August 20, 1814.

John's first enlistment was spent as a substitute for a James Ward of Otego. When this small body of soldiers grew impatient and eager to fight, General VanRensealaer sent them across the Niagara to attack the British at Queenstown Heights. This small group drove the British and Indians from their position and killed their general - General Brock. General VanRensealaer then returned to the American shore to bring over the rest of the army, but the Militia, denying the constitutional rights of their commander to take them out of the state, refused to go across. In the meantime, after a desperate struggle, the abandoned Canadian side were compelled to surrender. This was when John Fisk was held in captivity, then later released in exchange.