The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-05-22
VOL. XXI, NO. SO
A Distinguished visitor.
llnter.Occnn.1

Among the many heroes Of tn
war who today honor Chicago will
their presence, there are icw VIII,
will attract moro attention thar
"Old Abe" the famous war eagle o
tho Eighth Wisconsin. "Abe" ha'
arrived in the city with q detach
mcnt of the old organization, and
will take part in the procession to-
day. This is not his first visit to
Chicago. He was in attendance al
the last national republican conven'
tion, and during the war, We bo.
lieve, appeared at the great sanitary
fair for the benefit Of the soldiers
fund. 1t was either here or in Chi
cAgo-we do not remember which,
that his presence contributed thou.
sands of dollars TO the fund, crowds
of people willingly paying an ad-
mission fee to look at the veteran of
so many battles. To the soldiers of
the army of Tennesse "Old Abe
was particularly familiar. In camp,
on review, in marches and in battle,
the eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin
was as familiar, as he was always a
welcome, sight Perched aloft on
his staff, like u sentry on signal
tower, he proudly surveyed the
thousands who followed in his lead 4,
fitly personifying the sentiment of
which he is the national emblem.
Though displaying strong atfec
tion and attachment TO his corps,
"Old Abe" was always dignified.
He brooked no familiarty-no
trifling. Others of the regiment
might joke about the serious duty
before them; the strain of intense
anxiety lesscncd, relief thcrefrom
might exhibit itself in mirth and
revelry but in this "Old Abe"
never participated. Through it all,
in fair or cloudy weather. when
hope grew strong or despair cast its
somber shadow DER the camp, he
was always the same. He seemed
the incarnation of the grand idea
which lay just beneath the lighter
thoughts which relieved the war
of its dread solemnity. Serious and
solemn, he appeared to rclegate the
pleasures of the war to others, con-
tent himself to be the ever vigilant
sentinel, regarding only the end to
be gained and the earnest realities
of his great mission.
1t was only in the storm of battle
that this b abitual reserve was some
times broken; and when, in the
midst of screaming shot and shell,
loud cry of triumph would ring
from "Old Abe, it was regarded as
the harbinger of destruction, and
awakened in the men who heard it
a spirit which became almost resist
less in its energy.
But, though the bravery of "Old
Abe" was unquestionable, he was by
no means reckless or foolhardy IN its
exhibition. No one could dodge a
missile more promptly or success
fully than he, and when the order
came for the regiment to lie down
to escape a raking fire, none ever
Rugged the earth with closer per-
sistency than the eagle of the Eighth
Wisconsin. After the war, "Old
Abe" was assigned to comfortable
quarters at the capital, and there he
has remained, only occasionally ap.
pearing at reunions of his old
friends. But he has not forgotten
the sound of the drum or the sig
nifcance of marching battalions,
and when, seated on his old perch,
he takes his place in the ranks, his
eye brightens, his form assumes its
old majesty, and at the roll of mus
kerry, it is said, the war cry, with
which he was won't to inspire the
soldiers, again rings out with all its
shril intensity. The services OF
"Old Abe" entitle him to the regard
of the country, and the manner in
which he is received, wherever he
goes, shows that these services are
fully appreciated.