Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-26
4 Centennial Visitor.

A Centennial Visitor.
Our young readers have heard much about
the Centennial. why it is celebrated, and of |
the many wonderful and beautiful things |
that are now on exhibition at Philadelphia. |
Many Of YOU too, will doubtless 60 there to |
see them SO we propose TO tell you of pair |
of bright eyes that will be found there, peer
ing about, yet far less able than you TO I'M
derstand what the crowd of faces mean.
DO you ask of whom we are writing
Why, Old Abe the war eagle Of the Eighth
Wisconsin, Regiment of Volunteers. lie is
at the Centennial Exhibition and may be
seen there among the objects of national
pride; and that you may better understand
why he is thus honored, we will give you
brief sketch Of his life and what has made
him so famous.
He was captured as an eaget by an In
dian and kept until full grown, when he was
sold to person living in Eau Claire county
Wisconsin. How long he remained with
this person we are not informed, but at the
breaking out of the rebellion, rs a patriotic
citizen, he took his eagle to the village OF Eau
Claire where company of volunteers were
recruiting, aud presented the bird TO them.
The soldiers, pleased with their gift, at
once named their bird Abe, after Abraham
Lincoln, then President of the United States
They also prepared splendid perch for his
accommodation long pole surmounted 10y
painted shield aud above it perch on
which the eagle could stand In this way,
fastened by tether, Abe was taken TO Mad
ison, the capital of Wisconsin, where other
regiments were formed.
The Eau Claire company became Com
pany X Of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment,
and with them Abe was taken to the seat of
war. lie was carried like musket on the
shoulder of a soldier detailed for that pur-
pose and on drill, it is said, the soldier would
90 through all the movements of the com
manding o1icer-right and left shift, shout
der arms, support arms, charge bayonets, etc
At the command of "order arms" Abe's
staff would come down upon the ground with
a thud, which, however, did not seem in the
least to disconcert his eagleship.
During battle he was carried beside the
colors and it was here he did so much good
for his country for though a captive bird,
he was still wild aud unsubdued, seemed to
take delight in a fierce battle, and with shot
and shell flying about in every direction,
would shrek and scream in such a way that
he was heard for great distance above the
din of battle. He would excitedly hop up
and down upon his perch, Tapping his wings,
or else, poised on extended wings, above the
army, would send forth such loud, clarion
notes as to startle the enemy. 1t was firmly
believed by "the boys in blue that their
eagle thus helped them to more easily win
some of their battles.
In another way too, Old Abe was an adj
vantage to them. We have already said
that during battle he had an honored place
beside the colors. These colors consists OF
our national standard-the stars and stripes
and battle or state flag. The latter i,
generally OF dark blue silk, with rich orang,
/ fringe, and the coat of arms adopted by
each state, embroidered upon it, so that on
seeing several regiments pass by, they ar,
easily distiuguishable.
This flag Is borne ON the battlefield 10y
: color sergeant, usually selected from ia,
| regiment for his bravery, intelligence, pat
riotism, etc lie has guard of eight pickeC
men, called corporals. In the midst of
fierce onslaught if brave sergeant sees hi
! regiment wayerng, he will at once advanc,
[ eight or ten PAGES beyond the line, when tn,
soldiers no matter how disheartened thel
may be, will Immediately spring forward il
defence of their flag. For upon the whit,
! stripes the battles they have won are re
corded, and it is with true sollierly prid
their battered flag is returned, at the end o
war, to their capitol.
knowing this, and how much Old Abe wa
thought of by each memberof the Eighth Wis
, eonsin regment-whose colors bear recorc
Of many hard-fought battle, among then
those OF Corinth, the siege of Ncksburg, ant
the Red River campaign bearer man,
times placed him in advance, when his com
p rades, with their wild Western yell, woul,
sprmg after and fight with renewed bravery
Can we wonder that the state of Wisconsin
- has since held this bird in so much esteem
Ia the army he was privileged character
e When taken into the suffers tent he would
a in dignifed manner, help himself to fruit
o or any other dainty he might fancy. 1t i
said il the sutlcr had sent bill against OF,
Abe to Company X, they would, in honor
= have felt bound to pay it, But his eagles
l. ship was allowed to do pretty much as h