The Red Cloud chief., 1895-03-08

N'I'' - ~ i"N'''N w. NV
protector and favorite cou.rade of Old
Abe, the war eagle of the Eighth
Wisconsin volunteers, suddenly and
quietly passed away yesterday morn
ing at 7:30 o'clock IN the home of his
daughter, G29 Orchard street. Peace.
fully resting on a bier in the uniform
that he wore on his march to the sea
with Grant, he looked what he was
the brave old soldier of two wars and
the descendant Of revolutionary sires.
Capt. Munsell was a typical American
soldier who was ready to serve his
country in eve,y emergency, aud vain
of his deeds only because they were
done in defense of the flag that he
loved aud gloried in. He neve wear.
led Of rccountipg war incidents and
stories, and his JOY in late years was
to recall with comrades Of the Grand
Army the stirring Genes of battle
and Of strife they had passed through.
Capt. Munsell was of the French
stock aud some of his ancestors came
here with La Fayette, and most Of
them fought in the revolution under
Washington. lie was born in Am.
sterdam, n. Y, in 1874, the year
when La Fayette came here as the
guest Of the republic he had helped
to found and was named after him
When the Mexican val broke out he
was living in Wisconsin aud joined a
regiment on its way to that %countr!
IA serve under Gen. Winfield Scott.
tie was in most if not all the famous
BATTLES Of that war. He fought at
Monterey, Cerro Gordo, Chepultepec,
and entered the City of Mexico
with the victorious columns of Scott.
After that war he returned to Madi
son, Wis, and with the first sho. that
was fred at Sump,er he resolved to
take up arms again in defense of the
flag lie organized company II Of the
Eighth Wisconsin, the regiment which
became famous, not only for its deeds
but as there giment which carried
throughout the war Of the rebellion
'Old Abe" the wal eagle. "Old Abe
was specially attached to company II,
aud he aud Capt. Munsell became
great friends and comrades, and many
an interesting and stirring incident
and anecdote he used to tell of the
warlike bird, the pet and the pride OF
the company and the regiment The
eagle, he said, knew as well as the
men how the tide Of battle was surg
ing. When the union forces were be
| ing driven back 'O.d Abe" would sit
| with bowed head aud folded wings on
his perch, but when he heard the stir
ring note OF a charge or the triumph
ant shouts Of a union victory be
would flap his wings and screech il
glee, and leaving his perch would cir
Gle round the flags and over the head
Of the men Of his command.
Capt. Munsell fought all through
the war, was at Shiloh, Chattanooga
Missionary Ridge, and many anothe
field Of carnage, and entered Vlcks
burg with Grant. He had many mar
row escapes during the war, and, al
though never wounded by a bullet o
sho'. he did not escape injury. A
one time a shell burst near him il
the air and his hearing in one ear wa
ever after practically destroyed. In
charge in front Of Vicksburg he re
ceived an injury while mounting owe
distractions placed by the enemy, an
otherwise was frequently partially dis
abled.
After the Wal Capt. Munsell re
turned to Madison, but in 1870 wen
to Red Cloud. Neb., where he live
until September last, when be came t
Chicago TO live with his daughter
At Red Cloud he was . promineu
member of the James A. Garfield pos
Grand Army Of the Republic, at chs
place, aud after leaving tho POI
unanimously passed q resolution NAL
ing him an honorary member for lif
because of his "deyoted and answer
ing oyolty and his active and unfai
ing support Of the post and the o
ganIzation.