The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-21
A Genuine War Eagle.


The other day was in Independence
Hall looking at the old bell which pro-
claimed liberty one hundred years ago,
and at the original declaration of IDde- |
pendence, which is now deposited there
in large iron safe for the inspection Of
the public during the Centennial season;
when a man came in bearing aloft staff
upon which was perched an eagle. The
eagle was shown all around the room, the
portraits Of the signers Of the Declara-
tion of Independence pointed out. which
strange performance the eagle seemed to
enjoy. He turned his head from side to
side, and viewed the surroundings with
a critics eye. What meant this? ] was
puzzled. What had that eagle to do
with the Declaration Of Independence or
the Constitution Of the United States?
Ny call for particulars was responded
to.
This rare bird il the famous Wiscon'
sin war eagle. Never had bird more
eventful history or a larger share Of
fame.
In August, 1861, when but two months
old, this eagle was caught by an Indian.
near Flambeau County, WisconSin, and
sold to q white man for bushel ofcorn.
The purchaser brought the eagle to Fan
Claire and gave it to Company c. of the
Eighth Regiment, then in process Of
organization. The boys took him to war
and, strange to cay. the bird made no at
tempt to escape He enjoyed war. They
carried him upon shield at the head of
the regiment. In battle he would by up
into the air, screech and defantly flap
his wings. He was carried through q
dozen battles, and, although fred at hun
dreds Of times, he was never but twice
hit. and then only slightly wounded
All through the war he never left the re.
giment an hour. He seemed TO take all
active interest in the contest, and ever
lowered near the flag Of his country
No thunder Of cannon nor whizzing oi
bullets could terrify him. He was q
genuine soldier, enduring all the priva
tions Of camp life, and flying about ir
hattie smoke where the contest ragged
With the close Of war he returned with
the regiment TO Madison and at th'
grand reception given the veterans h'
participated, tapping his wings and Civ
ing every manifestation of joy that was
possible in his limited vernacular.
The regiment had TO part with thi
, loved eagle when they disbanded. AL
could not have him. They resolved t.
: give him to the State, and the old veter
W was turned over to Governor Levi
with appropriate ceremonies. From Ihel
! until now be has been kept at the Stat
= House. petted and beloved by all. Fl
q has been in demand to attend army re
. unions and the like, doing more Of tina
!. sort of thing than Sherman.
e II was deemed appropriate to bring t
8 the Centennial, that he might note til
z progress of the Nation be seems to Low
}. so we'll; for if war record is good fo
= anything. Old Abe THAT is what the
: call him) is a genuine patriot.
v The Governor of Wisconsin selecte
= two veterans of the regiment to brin
J. Abe to Philadelphia. While here he hi
e quarters at Agricultural Hall during Il
e day, and sleeps in a nest especially pr
r pared for him, in a tree back Of Il
ts Wisconsin building. He ia as close
e, guarded as gold, and as affectionate
,e cared for as baby. He has the choice
- cuts of lamb and beef to eat and ice-w
to ter to drink. He isa distinguished CUES
r in all that the term implies.
ID Money will not buy this bird, althorl
ID twenty thousand dollars has been offer
II for him in lump. Twenty thousal
~ dollars for an eagle that an Indii
ei caught one summer day and sold for
n bushel of corni Ten thousand has be
t. offered for him several times, but t
NJ patriotic men of Wisconsin only lau
'ir tha. anybody should suppose that mo
IA ey would buy the bird. Barnum's Fl
offer was $4,000, but he found it "
n useless to increase the figure.
No Visitors to the Exhibition can have
look at him, and buy his photograI
ps hut he will be taken back to Wiscon
h, in the fall, and when he dies ba.tlersc
,id red veterans will shed tears, and he W
bi. have monument.-( Philadelphia c
N, Gin. Commercial.