Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-04-02
The Eaxle Of the sth w;sseusIu.

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which they have since carried vith the Gag
through the deadly hail of some of the fierc-
est battles ofthe war, is destined not only to
become historic bird, butto furnish afruit-
full theme for the shaping fancies of poets
and romancers
The newspaper poets and paragraphists are
alre ady telling strange tales" of his history
and actions, sueh-as will doubtless astonish
the boys of the sth, when they read them.
One account says that "the State of Wiscon-
sin has promised $4,000 to the man who re-
turns him to the State at the close of the
war. Another PARAGRAPH isgoing the rounds
to the following effect; We clip it from the
Washington C1ronide::
When, in the year 1851, tile stu Wisconsin
regiment marched from that State to the seat
of war, it carried with it an eagle. From
that time, through all the marches, battles,
sieges, and vicissitudes Of war, this bird has
remained with the corrmand, and shared its
hardships dangers, ami adventures. When
ever the regimenth has Joined battle with the
foe, the eagle has been at his post with the
soldier who owns him, at the head of com
pany d. As the engagement waxed hot-as
the roar-ef the heavy guns shook the earth,
and the rattle of small arms pierced the dun
and sulphurous cloud that hung about the line
of battle-the eagle would flap his wings and
mingle his voice with the tumult in the ferc-
est and widest of his screams Twice has he
been wounded in action, one ball cutting away
a great portion of his tail Feathers But he
has never turned tailtothe foe. He has
gone with his regiment through seven States,
a fit companion and emblem of the heroes of
the Northwest. He is now at home with the
veterans recruiting, and there is not banker
or ''broker" in the United States that brings
men to the regimental flag as fast as this war
eagle of the 5th Wisconsin. Thousands flock
to see him, and his sharp, shril cry is always
heard, at morning and evening, with the flies
and drums of the guard The people of Wis
consin are determined that when, the war Is
over, and the eagle comes home again, he
shall be kept at the public expense, in the
Capitol grounds at Madison. sl"asaS
But the'poetsare most fruitful in stories of
the. eagleyf The Columbus (O.) Gazette, gives
up, nearly column and half to poem by
c.. W. FARRINGroN, wherein the early history
of this ''ierce gray bird with the bending
beak," is narrated 1t opens with descrip-
ton of our own beautiful city, which we,
transfer entire, for the benefit of lot owners
and others interested in its fair fame
In the broad doorway of the bright northwest,
Reposing like stately swan at rest, u t,f
Upon the sunny margin of stream,
The silver turrets of a city gleamA so I
The gorgeous trappings that the summer brings
The sweet wild music Of the troupe that sings
Throughout the howery months-the Thousand
That Beauty stole from generous Natures hand
And scattered broadcast DER the smiling land
For, leagues around-all these might well COM
For Madison high and blazing NAME,
On the proud shrine that beauty rears to fame.
But more than this IT'S sweet to think At night
Ripple around an infants crib, and keep
A wakeful watch Ger innocence at sleep.
just so this city sleeps: and round its heart,
Two lovely lakelets scarce a mile apart,
Fold their fair arms and with their radiant eyes,
Wink kisses at it, stolen from the skies. -,f.t4
The poet then goes on to inform us that
once upon time " in this sweet garden grew
a darling flower full of all graces." The name
of this floral wonder was Azile-a young
woman in short. One of her peculiarities
was that ga kind of trance stole over those
who dared confront her eyes," and that after
lettering them thus without surprise she
was in the habit of Laughing them back in
to the world again." which we think must
have surprised them considerably. Well,
this young woman one fine June morning
with fair train of companions " forth
wandered to thelake," and there they man
ned their. frail boat to. take the, eagle tree."-
The poet pauses here and apostrophises Lake
Mendoza, conceding that Como and Loeb Kat
rine may be-" some punkins," but averring
Thou, proud queen MENDOZA, with thy blue
And sparkling wealth of waters, clear and pure,
Mayest laugh the world scorn and still rest sure
That, spit the witchery that earth puts on,
Thou'lt shine forever beauty's paragon"
Having accomplished this simple act of
justice to our principal lake, he put the ladies
afioat and directs their course to the spot
where the bold shorea !" throws up daring
bluff" where, be adds s,ea.,,s
-''The simple fact that here eagles nest
Secure from access built, was quite enough,
~ To tempt Azile to scale the dizzy crest"
If it had been easy of access probably our
Madison girl would not have attempted such
a feat of climbing but the simple fact that it
was "secure from access made her deter
mined, with the characteristic enterprise of
our young ladies, that she. would reach it.
How she made a short speech to her compan-
ions, how she pointed to the mountain top
where, In the summit of an old dry oak the
nest was built, and, how she then began TO
mount the "frightful crags,n how she assembled
towards the " dreamy Clouds" how she clomb
until she hung with frenzied clutch upon an
overarching wall, " and how, just as herattempt
threatened to result in complete failure,
etbaby eaglet" ,fusge giaiui
:" Curious to know what demon sprite,
Chung meath him on that mountains hideous
Hfiu LEDGE e4W gsf6 81
yentured to peep over the edge of the nest,
lost his balance and fell, and dropped within
the reach of Azile, and how She seized him
and like thearairi dashed down that conquer
ed precipice with the old eagles shrieking
after her, are all related with due minuteness.
Azile reared, the young eagle, and when
the war broke out gave him to her low
er, who had enlisted in the sth, and who
persisted while charging with the eagle in
the very face of DEATH Then we are told
how the eagle winged forth with warrior
eyes to scan the Rappahannock and the Rap
idan ;" how he circled DER the plain at Fred
ericksburg, and then flew back to the sth
and aceomnapiad them in tho Communist of