The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-05-05
"Old Abe," the War Eagle.
BY THE REV. sELAH BROWN

OIu AOty lIlc IdlliOuo i'OiNlOA LII -
of Wisconsin, aged 20 years.
After most romantic history. Old
Abe is dead. He died in his youth,
for eagles are long lived birds. some
having been known tolive a hundred
years. This famous bird was captur-
ed in the northern wilds of Wisconsin
in 1861, when but an eaglet in the
nest, by a Chippewa Indian by the
melodious name of A-ge-mah-we-ge-
zig.
Old Abe was sold by the Indian 10
farmer for a bushel of corn, and
eventually presented to Company G,
Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, ever
afterward known as the Eagle Regi-
ment." After the new recruit was
sworn into Services ribbons A0f red,
white, and blue were put around his
neck, and rosette upon his breast.
The soldiers named him Old Abe, in
honor of the President, and made a
fine perch consisting of a long pole
surmOunted by the national shield,
above which stood the eagle. A SOL
dier was detailed to carry him as he
whould carry any other banner. Dur
ing the three years. campaign Old
Abe was in more than score of bait
ties. besides many skirmishes. He
was at the seige of Vicksburg, the
desperate battle of Corinth and all
through the Red River campaign,
and yet the brave war bird came out
of every battle with scarcely the loss
of a feather. He seemed to have a
charmed life.
In the fill of 1861, as the regiment
marched to the seat of war, the patri.
otic bird was carried in the van down
into Dixie land. He became a great
fayorite with the soldiers, and every
where was greeted with applause. At
st. Louis gentleman offered $500 for
him, and another said, "I'll give my
farm for him." But the boys said
they could not part with their soldier
bird. He soon learned the various
army movements, and seemed to un-
derstand the bugle calls. In dress
parade at tn 2 command, Attention."
he would obey orders as prompt as
any one in the regiment. He was
very fond of music, and was especial
ly delighted with "John Brown" and
Yankee Doodle"
Old Abe liked the excitement of
battle. At the sound of preparations
for conflict his bright eye would flash
with delight, and when the bullets
and bombs were whizzing and scream
ing around him, he would jump up
and down upon his perch. fnriously
Tapping his wings. Then as the bat
tie grew fiercer he would shrek and
scream until his wild voice could
be heard above the laundering din
around him. Sometimes, poised on
extended wing above the strife, he
would circle around beyond the reach
of bullets, but near enough to be seen
and heard by both friend and foe.
When the regiment was IN camp
Old Abe was privileged character.
His favorite place of resort was the
suffers tent, where he would often
help himself to fruits, rabbits, chick
ems, or any other delicacy he might
fancy. Sometimes when opportunity
offered he would go on foraging ex-
pedition, confiscating sundry fright
ened fowls from neighboring barn
yards.
The enemy called him "Yankee
Buzzard" and "Old OWL" and more
than once orders were given for his
capture. AT the battle of Corinth the
rebel General Price, knowing the
fame and influence of the eagle, Or
dered the men to take him, dead or
alive. at all hazards, saying, II would
rather capture Old Abe than a whole
brigade" In the bloody conflict the
eagle leaped upward, breaking his
cord, and was seen circlipg around
and around above the awful carnage.
Rebel sharp-Shooters sent their bull
lets after the soldier bird in vain.
One bali passed through the feathers
of his wing near the flesh. In the
midst of the fight, catching a glimpse
of his bearer, he descended to his reg
iment, and was carried trembling and
painting to the rear. The soldiers of
the eagle regiment would have shot
and buried the brave bird sooner than
have had him captured by the rebels.
On one occasion while the regiment
was on picket guard at Bear Creek, he
followed the example of certain dig.
nitaries of the army and got drunk.
A soldier having bought some peach
brandy, poured out a saucerful, and,
leaving it for a few moments, turned
to attend to some camp duty. when
Abe, always on the watch for spoils,