The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-05-24

uitcfoF might envy MS popularity hhu
mlght long In vain for the cheers which
greeted him Though a conspicuous
target IN thlrty-six battles, he was
never wounded. Not only so, but bis
bearers were also immune. Every
where he inspired the soldiers, and his
battle scream neryed them for victory,
since they regarded him with almost
snperstitious reverence AS the emblem
OF the Union After the war he was a
feature Ia reunions, Ia expositions ana
In conventions. was bonored and cheer
ed IN almost every city OF the north
and was for over fifteen years a state
ward His reputation was worldwide.
Never bird wore feathers with
fame like that OF Old Abe,
The eagle was the military emblem
Of the republic Of Rome. In land
then undiscovered Il became, ages lat
or. the emblem Of freedom In yet
greater republic. During the most mo
mentous war Of this younger republic
that symbol was qulckened into ne
This living personihcatlon was given
the name OF the great leader in that
war to be associated in the minds OF
men forever after with that struggle
aud that leader, II thus grew to be the
concrete expression Of n national sen
tinent No wonder the people cheered
Old Abe.
In the spring of 1861 Chippeway
Indian called Chief SKY captured nest
Of young eaelets on the Flambeau
river In Wisconsin Later CHIEF SKY
went down the river with some OF his
tribe 20 sell baskets. pelts and mocca-
sins one Of the englets was taken
along and was traded for bushel or
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 & OF the
Eighth Wisconsin The bird brought
S250 at this second purchase. Inc
company In a jocular spirit voted to
accept "the new recruit from CHIP
peway." and the eagle was soleinnly
sworn into the service. A perch was
made for him, red. white and blue RIB
bons were tied about his neck, two III
tie flags were placed on the perch each
side OF him and private was detailed
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, "T'hey 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 then
mascot they had chosen more wisely
than they knew. At Madison special
salute was fired in honor of the bird
and the cheers along the line OF marcl
were deafening. The band struck VI
Yankee Doodle" and, as II under
standing his mission, the eagle seized
one Of the flags In his benk and spread
his wings. tapping them to the hur
rahs OF the crowd.
A new perch was then constructed
for the bird OF freedom. II was point
ed with arrows to represent the lnltet
States seal. The eagle was namet
Old Abe In honor OF President Lin
coin. Company G was officially desig
mated the Fan Claire Eagles, and TN
Eighth Wisconsin IN the popular nlln'
became 'the eagle regiment" titl'
that ever afterward clung to II. On th'
way 10 the front the sight OF Il llv'
eagle carried beside the reglmenta