West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-05-31


queror might cnvy his popularity and
might long In vain for the cheers which
greeted him. Though conspicuous
target In thirty-six battles he was
newer wounded. Not only 40. hut his
bearers were also Immune. Every
where he inspired the soldiers. and his
battle scream nerved them FOR victory.
since they regarded him with almost
superstitlous reverence as the emblem
OF the Union. After the war he was n
feature In reunions. In eyposltIons and
In conventions. was honorcd and cheer
ed In almost every city of the north
and was for over fifteen years state
ward. His reputation wa3 worldwide
Never bird wore feathers with
fame like that of Old Abe.
The eagle wns the military emblem.
OF the republic OF Rome. In land
then undiscovered IL became. ages lat
er. the emblem OF freedom IN yet
greater republic. During the most mo.
mentous war of this younger republic
that symbol WAS qulckened into life.
This living personficatlon wns given
the name OF the great leader In that
war to be associated In the minds of
men forever after with that struggle
and that leader. II thus grew to be the
concrete expression OF nutionnl SEN
timent No wonder the people cheered
Old Abe.
In the spring of 1861 II Chippeway
Indian called Chief Sky captured nest
of young eaglets on the Flambeau
river In Wisconsin. Later Chief Sky
-
tribe to sell baskets. pelts and mocca-
sins. One Of the eagIets was taken
along and was traded for bushel OF
corn. In the summer this eagle, then
nearly full grown, was sold to the Eau
Claire Badgers. military company
which shortly afterward was muster
ed into the volunteer service OF the
United States as Company G OF the
Eighth Wisconsin. The bird brought
$3.50 at this second purchase. The
company In n jocular spirit voted TO
accept "the new recruit from Chip
peway," and the eagle was solemnly
sworn into the service. A perch was
made for him. red. white and blue rib
bons were tied about his neck. two lit
tie flags were placed on the perch each
ciht VI NM uuu II pIlNutt WIS Oetdllt0
to carry him beside the colors. AS the
company marched through the streets
OF Eau Claire the eagle created the
greatest enthusiasm. On all sides were
heard the remark, They Will never be
whipped while they follow that bird"
The local paper said. "who could not
fight under such glorious emblemsT'
At Lacrosse the same enthusiasm
was manifest, and the soldiers came
to the conclusion that in selecting their
mascot they had chosen more wisely
than they knew. At Madison n special
salute was fired IN honor OF the bird.
and the cheers along the line Of march
were deafening The band struck up
Yankee Doodle" and. as n under
standing bis mission. the eagle seized
one OF the flags Ia his beak aud spread
his wings. tapping them TO tho hur-
rahs OF the crowd
A new porch was then constructed
for the bird OF freedom II was point
ed with arrows 90 represent tho United
States seal. The engie was named
Old Abe In honor Of President LIN
coin. Company G was officially deslg-
mated the Eau Claire Eagles. and tho
Eighth Wisconsin In the popular mind
became "the eagle regiment" n title
that ever afterward chung 60 H. ON the
way 70 the front the sight of live
engie carried beside the regImental