The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-10-04
.old Abe, tne Live war Eagle. ).

''OAu Ane5 tAe 1.-Two WI N~S~S'
One of the notable features of the
late glorious assomblage of Soldiers,
Sailors and Citizens at Pittsburgh, was
a living Eagle, which was carried all
throuSh the war, by tho Eighth WIS
consin Volunteers. He may be said
to have been honorably discharged,
having served in his sphere with cred
it through the war-and as veteran
soldier we suppose he was regular
delegate to tho Pittsburgh Convention
The Columbus Journal gives tho fol-
lowing interesting history Of the no.
BILE bird:
This Eagle, called 'old Abe" was
captured when quite young, by Chip.
peway Indian, up in the Lake Superb
or region. The Indian, in July, 1861,
sold him to a farmer, in Ohippeway
county, Wisconsin, for bushel of corn.
This farmer says the idea "struck him
like brick" one day, that the Eagle
ought to go to the war. knocked
down by this idea, he carried it and
the Eagle to Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
and offered the Eagle for sale TO Com
pany @, of the Eighth Wisconsin. A
citizen bought him and presented him
to the Company. He was received
with enthusiasm; the boys madea perch
for him and installed him beside the
Regimental Standard, and from that
time forward he took his regular ra-
tions of "Methodist Minister fxins"
with the Eighth, which was known
throughout the army as the Eagle
Regiment. At Madison he was duly
sworn in" and the State furnished
him a new perch-a shaft five feet
long, surmounted by shield in the
shape of heart, on which the stars
and stripes were painted, and above it
cross piece, on which the Eagle sat.
This perch was used throughout the
war, and is now, much battered and
worn, among the relics of the State.
An eagle bearer was chosen, and he
was placed in the color-guard on the
left of the color-bearer, in line of bat
tie. "Old Abe was in all the battles
of the Regiment (ffteen, and receiv-
ed no injury sufficient to draw blood.
No color bearer or eagle. bearer cf the
Regiment was ever killed, and the men
came to think that the Eagle had q
charmed life. lie was the very soul
of bravery, but was q prudent eagle
withal. 1t was related Of him by his
biographer that, sat the battle Of Farm.
|inglon, May 0, 1862, tho men, being
exposed to q CALLING fire, were ordered
to lie down. The instant they did so,
it was impossible to keep him on his
perch. He fattened himself on the
ground and there remained until the
men arose, when with outspread wings
he resumed his place OF peril"
In forming for battle, he was always
anxious and uneasy until the men
were formed and ready to march. In
battle he would spread his pinions,
and jump up and down on his perch,
uttering wild and fearful screams as
the thunder of baltic excited him.
His enthusiasm excited the whole
brigade, and it was the proud boast Of
the Regiment that their Eagle was
mover in lost baltic.
Ho was mustered out with his Regi-
ment and turned over to the State au.
thorities A place was provided for
him in tho Stale armory, where he is
well cared for: lie is still much oxci-
ted by firearms, tapping his wings
and waking the echoes with joyful
screams whenever he hears shot.
His Colonel states that he always, on
dress parade, came to attention" at
the command, With his head obiique.
IIy to the front, and his bright eye
turned upon the commander OF the pa
rade he would listen and obey orders,
noting time accurately. After parade
had been dismissed and the ranks were
being closed he would lay aside his
his soldierly manner, flap his wings
and make himself generally at home,
While Old Abe was in service he fed
very contentcdly on rats, or whatever
ho could get with the other foragers.--
Since his muster out, however, hc re-
fuses anything less dainty than live
chickens. "A grateful country "shells
OUT the fowl diet, and Old Abe takes
his ratiohs with c-claw and dignity.