The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-05-18
A DIslingnIshed yIsIIor.


Among tho many heroes Of the
war who today honor Chicago with
their presence, thorc are few who
will attract more attention than
oOid Abe" the famous war eogle Of
tho Eighth Wisconsin, "Abo' has
arrived in the city with n dctNch.
mont of the old organization, and
with take part in tho procession to-
day, This is not his first visit to
Chicago, He was in attendance at
tho last national republican conyen-
ton, and during the war, we boz
Iicyc, appeared AT tho great sanitary
fair for tho benefit Of tho soldiers
fund. 1t was either here or in Chi.
Gago-we do not remember which,
that his presence contributed thou
sands of dollars TO the fund, crowds
Of people willingly paying an nd
mission fec to look at the veteran Of
30 many battles, TO the soldiers Of
the army Of Tennessee sold Abe
was particularly familiar. In camp,
on rcviow, in marches and IN battle,
tho eagle of tho Eighth Wisconsin
was ~ familiar, a.. 30 wn9 always II
welcome, sight Perchod alolt on
his statl, like n sentry on II signal
tower, he proudly surveyed the
thousands who followed in his lead,
ftIy pcrsonifying the sentiment OF
which he is the national emblem
Though displaying strong alice
ton and attachment TO his corps,
"Old Abe was always dignliod.
lIe brookcd no familiarIty-no
trihing. Others Of the regiment
might joke about the serious duty
before them; the strain Of intense
anxiety lessencd, relief thcroirom
might exhibit itself in mirth ana
rcyeIry; but in this "Old Abe"
never participated. Through it all,
in fair or cloudy weather. when
hope grew strong or despair cast It's
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 vigiant
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 habitual reserve was some,
times broken; and when, in the
midst of screaming shot and shell,
a loud cry Of triumph would ring
from cold 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
missile more promptly or success
fully than he, and when the order
came for the regiment to lie down
to escape raking fire, none ever
Rugged the earth with closer per
sistency than the eagle of the Eighth
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 battaIions,
and when, seated on his old perch,
he takes his place in the ranks, his
eye brightens, his form assumes its
old ma jesty, and at the roll of mus
kerry, it is said, the war cry, with
which he was wont 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.