Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-14
OLD ABE, THE
Sketch Of q Bird that was as
Well Known as q Major
General.

crackers and 0tner good Things were
plentiful, and who seemingly didn't
care a fig for any one about. He was
labeled "0ld Abe" and he had a his.
tory. Colonel j. W. Jefferson, of this
city, was a comrade of hat eagle dur
ing the wal period, having served both
the colonel and the bird at the head Of
a regiment together. The bird is dead,
and Colonel Jefferson, if he has not
been informed of it ere now, will
doubtless hear of it with deep regret.
The telegraph announced the wal
eagles death on the 18th Of last month,
and a recent Wisconsin State Journal
has some interesting incidents in his
eventful life.
The severe weather Of the past few
months has obliged the keeper, George
Gillies, to keep his charge closely con-
fined, much to the latter's disgust, who
pleaded long and constantly to be
allowed to take the air. A week ago
Saturday night the old bird was as
we'll as ever. Sunday he refused food,
although the most tempting viands
we're spread before him.
Through the week medical skill was
supplied, but by Friday he showed
serious lung difficulties and went into
spasms. Saturday afternoon at 4:30
o clock, in the presence of Quarter
master-general George i. Bryant,
|"0ld Abe" passed away while in the
arms of his keeper. All that could
have been done for a human being
had been done, and his loss was as
deeply felt as Though a valued public
servant had gohe to the hereafter.
The remains are to be stuffed by Major
C. G. Mayors, and deposited in the
state historical rooms, duly incased in
glass, and the record of his battles
emblazoned on a neighboring shield.
The old soldiers at first wanted the
veteran buried at Forest Hill, with an
appropriate monument reared over
his bones, but this plan was finally
given up, on the assurance that the
remains could be kept for any length
of time in the manner first suggested.
CAPTURE OF THE BIRD.
In July or early August, 1861, a
young Indian captured two young
eagles from a nest on the bluffs of the
Flambeau rapids. A few weeks after
the eagle captor sold his pet to one
Daniel Mccain, for a bushel of corn.
McCann sold the bird to a company
forming at Eau Clare, organizing for
the 9Th infantry, for $3.50. This was
in August, 1861, when the eglet, a
true American specimen was about
two months old.
AT La Crosse, while the company
was en- route to Madison, there was
considerable enthusiasm rer the bird,
and at Madison the eagle company
was received with great eclat, the
State Journal of September 10, 1861,
thus announced the event:
IAN incident occurred yesterday as
the Chippewa company arrived at
Camp Randall. They bore in advance
Of them a platform on which was a
live eagle, surmounted by a small
American flag. Just as they entered
camp the eagle expanded his wings and
the flag in his beak. The in
attracted much attention, and
if it had happened in other days in a
camp, would have been re-
by the augurs as a singular
favorable omen,"
A FARM OFFERED FOR THE BIRD.
At Chicago, on the way to the front
October 12-there was another ova-
ton, the entire regiment now enjoyed
the honor Of being the eagle bearers.
The city papers Of the time were en-
thusiastic over the living symbol of
the nations greatness. At st. Louis,
Abe" as be had been named,
after the president. escaped, and the
final capture on the top Of a chimney
was witnessed by shouting thousands.
Here Secretary Cameron and General
Thomas complimented the 9Th on
heir pet, and one enthusiastic Hi
nosian offered a farm for the bird, but
Capt. Perkins rejoinder that mo
money can buy him" became proven
bial. From here the eagle regiment
went on to the front, and they and
their bird participated in 81 notable
engagements and skirmishes.
ANECDOTES OF THE BIRD.
Numerous stories are told of "Old
Abe" in connection with the engage
ments 10 which he figured. He al
ways sat on his perch uudisturbed by
any noise or tumult, the impersona-
ton of naughty defiance. He shared
all the long marches of his regiment,
including Sherman's great raid and
the campaign up Red river, and passed
through a number Of battles, in which
he once or twice had some of his
feathers shot away and his wings
pierced, but he never received q
scratch from a rebel bullet sufficient
to draw blood; he bore several scars.
however, and his old comrades could
always recognize him by those. At
Vicksburg "0ld Abe" was literally
amid shot and shell, and acted like a
true hero.
Meanwhile the eagle clinched his
claws fast to the grooves Of his perch,
and standing under the proud colors,
bent his head soldier-like, on a listen
ing angle, his fierce eyes rejecting the
glare of the battle, his wings out
stretched, his voice heard, as oft be-
fore cheering his compatriots to the
shock for ~conquests.
He Waa alUavs % tbo e.. -