Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-04-14
Sketches Of the Wsr-Life in the ''Eagle Reg


". DRIees, Esq, of the Sth Wisconsin Regiment.]
THE SOLDIER.
The life of soldier in the field is one of
changes-of sun-ights and shadows, varying
as the circumstances of his position may de-
mand. At times his spirits may be huoyant
and cheerful, while ct others he may feel
respondent and gloomy. In camp, he passes
through the usual routine of duties which he
may be called upon to perform-such as pick
ct, patrol and grand guard duty, and returns
to his quarters, where he gives himself credit
for the labor he has performed. In sunshine
and shower, he is subject to detail, and when
called upon, he is ever found ready to re-
spond to the call of duty, be it ever so
perilous. At times, he feels as though he
were a loyal Hreshing machine, through
which others may reap harvest of renown,
and is only consoled in the belief that certain
favorable events may transpire which will at
ford him relief. While on guard, he is con-
stantly counting the hours as they pass drear-
lily by, and he knows full well when the time
arrives for his successor to make his appear
ance. Thus the soldier might properly be
termed "time-piece," for what he performs
to-day may be REPETITION of yesterday; thus
he becomes repeater" ever watchful to
the interests Of his government, and the
cause in which he is engaged. He shares the
hardships of campaign without murmur,
and he feels pride in being classed as one
of our countrys patriots-possesse hatred
of treason, and proudly assails any indignity
shown the "old flag" under which the hope
of his country, and his life is periled. Unit
ed, they become as one, and every feeling and
principle is blended into compact Thus, a
concert Of action may always be found to OPP
crate against any opposition on the part of
those who unjustly seek to overthrow this
once peaceful and prosperous Union.
PETS OF THE REGIMENT" OLD ABE"
Is the name given to the t'Live Eage," car
ried by the Sth Reg. Wis. Vet Vols He
was originally taken from his nest in the
northern part of Chippewa county, Wis, by
a Chippewa Indian, when about two weeks
old, and brought to Eau Claire as an object
of interest and curiosity, where he was pur-
chased for a small sum by the eau Claire
Badgers" now Co. G, this Regiment, on the
eve of departure for their Regiment at Madi-
son, where he was introduced, and immedi-
ately adopted as a pet, and assigned con-
spicuous place beside the colors. A perch
was built for him of shield shape, with the
stars and stripes painted thereon, to which
he is attached by a small rope, giving him
liberty of his limbs and wings for a distance
of several yards. He has grown from the
little unfedged gosling to full feathered
magnificent bird, the largest of his species,
causing his bearer" much trouble on many
occasions to return him to duty, from the
"detached service on which he was detailed
by his own order-setting himself at liberty
by using his claws and beak to sunder the tie
which bound him to so narrow and contracted
a sphere.
Once when the regiment was in line, ready
to march at the signal, they were detained a
whole hour by-his escape, make several wide
circuits over the heads Of the gaping crowd
and alighting in distant tree top, from which
he was recaptured by an ambitious youth, re-
gardless of life or limb. The regiment has
become so attached to him by his long habi-
tation with US, that rather than lose him, or
see him fall into the hands of the enemy,
every man would expend his last cartridge in
his defence. Gen. Price has been said to de-
clare that he would rather Capture that bird
than whole brigade" The eagles exploits
during the battles of Corinth, the Sd and 4th
Of October, 1852, have no doubt been greatly
exaggerated, and the author aims at nothing
more than a simple statement of facts. The
. string which held him to his perch was, I'M
doubtedly, cut by Minnie ball from the enc
my; he did soar aloft over the heads of the
belligerents, and others say he returned with
the cap of some unfortunate secesh in his
beak. Be that as it may, he is undoubtedly
Union to the core, manifesting his desire to
end the troubles of our now severed country
by all means within his power, responding to
the cheers of our brave boys on the battle
field or in camp, by spreading his wings, pa
tiently enduring the tedious march, or Will
ing away the dull hours of camp life. He is
very rapacious; cycling greedly, birds in their
flight, or domestic fowls in pursuit of rations,
beyond his reach. IF it were not for his at
tachnae,a to this mundane sphere, he would
excel the best Of US in 'jayhawking." He is
also very discreet, judicious, and somewhat
dainty in the selection of his food, preferring
all small animals alive, such as squirrels,
chickens, birds, rabbits, &C., thus discarding
all modern inventions of cookery His life
and history thus far has been one of excite
ment, and passed amidst most stirring scenes.
He has filed the place assigned him in the
regiment with credit and honor as living
personifcation of our national emblem gain
ing for US the appellation of the Eagle Reg
iment," and exciting universal admiration on
our marches, from the inhabitants who are
10Th to admire anything from "Yankee land. d"
Various are the names applied to him by
strangers, "Owl p and yankee Buzzard n
being very common.
On our advent into Oxford, Miss, last year
a young lady Of decidedly southern origin,
rushed from a stately mansion by the way.
side, with arms extended and hair streaming,
exclaiming in scornful and sarcastic tones
ooh see that Yankee Buzzard!" which was
responded to from the ranks in such unmis-
taxable language that she made for the house
on double-quick.
With all due respect to the bird, it is fair
to state that he has seen nearly as much of
this world of ours as he would if left in his
own native condition, having spread his wings
over seven Of the now rebel States, though
in closer proximity to terra .fanaa than would
seem natural. May his life be preserved
through the trying scenes yet to come, and his
wings be spread over all the rebellious States
and at the close of this unnatural war be re-
turned to his native home, there to live in
state, surrounded by everything to make his
bird-life happy-the admired of tho admired.
Another particular pet of the Regiment, is
our dog "Frank "a pretty white and brown
"Pointer and Setter" who came to US at
Camp Randall, Madison, Wis. two years ago,
| and has followed the fortunes of the regiment
ever since pursuing his peaceful avocation
VI HuhIi1S DlIuo anu rdppItS, anu ue HdS neu
wide field to labor in; he has accompanied
US On all our marches-railroad and steam
boat travels, attaching himself to no individu-
al in particular, but to company for time ;
he seems to prefer the old school-teaching
system, of boarding around and has so en-
deared himself to each member of the regi-
ment, that to abuse him. is to abuse the sol
der whom he accompanies. However large
an army we may be placed in, he readily dis
tinguishes any member of this regiment-not
by name, but by scent, and cannot be induced