Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-12-22
THE SOLDIER BIRD.

One day IN the spring of 1861, Chief Sky
a Chippewa Indian, living in the northern
wilds OF Wisconsin captured an eagle nest
To make sure of his prize, be cut the tree
down, and caught the eaglets as they were
sliding from the nest to run and hide in the
grass. One died He took the other home
and built it nest in a tree close by his wig
wan. The eaglet was as big as hen, Gov
cred with soft brown down. The red chill
dren were delighted with their new pet; and
as soon as 1t got acquainted, it liked to sit
down in the grass and see them play with
the dogs. But Chief Sky was poor, and he
had to sell it to white man for a bushel Of
corn. The white man brought it to Eau
Claire, little village alive with white men
going to the war. Here recruit, said
the man. An eagle! an eagle!'' shouted
the soldiers-'let him enlist; and sure en-
ough, he was sworn into the aeryice, with
ribbons round his neck-red, white, and
blue.
Ona perch. surmounted by the stars and
stripes, the company took him to Madison,
the capital of the State As they marched
into Camp Randall, with celors flying,
drums beating, and the people cheering, the
eagle gSlaoa tho flag in his haak and spread
his wings, his bright eye kindling with the
spirit OF the scene Shouts rent the air
s',The bird of Columbia; the eagle of freedom
for everl The State made him a new
perch, the boys named him 'e0ld Abe, and
the regiment (the Eighth Wisconsin, was
thencetorth called the eagle Regiment y
On the march 1t was carried at the head OF
the company, aud every where was greeted
with delight. AT st. Louis gentleman
offered five hundred dollars for it, and an
other his farm. No, no, the boys had 10
notion Of parting with their bird 1t was
above all prlce-an emblem of battle and
victory. Besides, it interested their minds,
and made them think less of hardships and
Of home.
/ cannot tell you all the droll adventures
of the bird through It's three years of service
Its flights in the air, Its fights with the
guinea hens, and its race with the darkies.
When the regiment was in summer quarters
at Clear Creek, in Dixie, it was allowed to
run at large, and every morning went to the
river, half mile off where it splashed and
played in the water TO its hearts content,
faithfully returning to camp when it had
enough. Old Abe's fayorite place of re-
sort was the suffers tent, where a live
chicken found no quarter in his presence.
But rations got low, and for two days Abe
had nothing to eat Hard tack he objected
to, fasting was disagreeable, and Tom, his
bearer could not get beyond the pickets to a
tarmyard. At last pushing his way to the
Colonel, s tent, he pleaded for poor Abe
The Colonel gave him pass, and Tom got
him all excellent dinner.
One day rebel farmer asked Tom to
come and show the eagle to his children.
Satisfying the curiosity of the family, Tom
sat him down In the barnyard. o what a
screeching and scattering among the fowls;
for what should Abe do but pounce upon
eBe aud gobble up another, TO the great dis
gust of the farmer, who declared that was
not in the bargain. Abe, however, thought
there was no harm in confscating, nor did
Tom
Abe was in twenty battles, besides many
skirmishes He was at the siege of Vicks-
burg, the storming of Corinth, and marched
with Shermanup the Red river. The whiz
OF bullets and the scream of shells were his
delight. As the battle grew hot and no tier
he would flap his wings, and mingle his will
dest notes with the noise around him. He
was very fond of music, especially Yankee
Doodle and Old j ohm Brown. Upon parade
he always gave heed to Attention. 4 With
his eye on the commander, he would listen
and obey orders, noting time accurately
After parade he would put off his soldiery
All, flap his wings, and make himself at home.
The rebels called him Yankee Bugzard, y
"Old Owl, and other hard names: but
his eagle nature was quite above noticing it.
The rebel General Price gave orders to his
men to be sure and capture the eagle of the
Eighth Wisconsin-he would rather have it
than dozen battle flags But for all that,
A6 scarcely lost feather-only one from his
right wing. His tail feathers were once
cropped BY bullet
At last the great rebellion came to an end,
and the brave Wisconsin Eighth, with their
live eagle, and torn and riddled flags, were
welcomed back TO Madison. They went
out a thousand strong, and returned a little
band SCARED and toll worn, having fought
and won
And what of the soldier bird? In the
name of his gallant veterans, Captain Wolf
presented him to the State. Governor
Lewis accepted the illustrious gift, and am
pie quarters are provided for him in the
beautiful State House grounds, where he
may long live to tell us.
What heroes from the woodland sprang,
When through the fresh awakened land
The thrilling cry of freedom rang
Nor is the end yet. At the great fair in
Chicago last summer, an enterprising gen
tleman iayited Abe to attend. He had
colored photographs of the old hero struck
up, and sold sixteen thousand seven hun
arn1 dollars yrntfh far thn bapafst az Moor