Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-11-14
"OLD ABE" FAMOUS
CIVIL WAR EAGL LIZ


Wisconsin was proceeding with the
organization of companies of volun-
teers which were later to constitute
its eighth regiment. About the some
time. some young Indians took
fiedgeling eagle from a nest in the
town of Eagle Point, in Chippewa
county, of the same state. One of
the Indians, known as Chief Sky,
stopped, one day, at the pioneer home
Of Daniel Mccain, ten miles up the
Chippewa river from Chippewa Falls,
and, after some haggling with Mrs.
McCann, accepted bag Of corn in ex-
change for the bird. The eagle, at
this period, was no larger than a
crow. In time he came rather a trial
to Mrs. Mccain, and her husband
took him to Chippewa Falls, where
he tried to induce some soldiers, who
were on their way to the war, to buy
him. They declined to purchase the
bird, and Mr.. McCann took him to
Eau Clare, where he found some re-
cruits who were more favorable to
his proposal. These recruits were
part of a local company being or
ganized by Captain John K. Perkins,
under the name of "The Badgers"
With the approval of the captain, a
men, So being raised, and the baby
eagle passed to the ownership of the
Badgers" No sooner had the bird
changed hands, however, than he be-
gan to effect the history Of his now
owners, for, as a compliment to it's
pet, the company Immediately re-
named itself the Eau Clare Eagles"
The regiment of which this company
was then an isolated unit was destin-
ed, later, to become famous as the
wisconsin Eagles"
Tradition has it that, shortly after
the purchase Of the eagle for SIS, Cap
tain Perkins refused an offer Of 5000
for him. The bird soon became ia
vorite with the men, and nothing
would induce them to part with him.
When the eighth regiment was mob
ilized. and Captain Perkins company
marched to Fort Camp Randall, the
eagle attracted great deal of atten-
ton, and when the organization was
completed the regiment solemnly
adopted the bird as its own, and nam
ed it, in honor of the chief magistrate
of the nation, "Old Abe" The Eau
Claire Eagles became, officially, Com
pany c, of the Eighth Wisconsin, and
the war eagle was left to its keeping.
n ptICf Lflt lOIiil anu oUiClu, was
made for "Old Abe" and this was
carried at the top of five-foot staff.
The Stars and Stripes and the inscrip-
ton, 18th Reg. w. Va.," were painted
on the shield. A member of the COM
pany was regularly detailed to care
for the eagle, and to carry him on the
march. By setting the staff in a belt
socket worn by the bearer, "Old Abe"
could always be held up in sight of
the regiment. The place assigned
him in the line of march was in the
very center of the regiment beside
the flag.
In the movement of the regiment
toward the south, the eagle always
attracted crowds. At st. Louis $500
was offered for him. The bird, al
ways alert, had learned many tricks,
and was a constant source of enter
tainment for the soldiers. He had
the freedom of thirty feet of stout
cord, but he was usually content to
keep on or close to his perch.
"Old Abe" went into all the bat
ties in which the Eighth Wisconsin
took part. The first engagement in
which he participated was at Farm
ington. Miss, where Captain Perkins
fell. The bird was in the battle of
Corinth. He saw "active service" in
the campaigns of Tennessee and Mis-
sissippi He was seen and recognized
by Grant and Sherman. Many stories
concerning his antics while the regi-
ment was under fire were told by vet
Grams after the war. Some of these
pointed to remarkable sagacity on the
part of "Old Abe" There are numer-
Gus testimonies relating to the man
rer in which he tapped his wings and
screamed triumphantly when the bat
tie was going for the Union side, and
of his generally depressed condition
when defeat lowered around. A good
deal of fiction is interviewer with fact
in the recital of the eagles career.
but it remains that he was an actual
war bird and that he undoubtedly en-
couraged the men of his regiment to
greater effort in many a critical hour
ard action.
There was no end to the ovations
which "Old Abe" received when the
war was over. He became a factor
in national politics. His presence
lent enthusiasm to the first nomina-
ton of Grant for the presidency. He
attended celebrations, dedications,
army reunions, and political conven-
tions in New York. Boston, Philadel-
phia, Pittsburgh, Detroit and other
cities. p. T. Barnum offered $4,000
for him as circus attraction, but
the state of Wisconsin priced him
more highly than gold and gave him
a home at the state capitol
Something of tragedy married the
close of "Old Abe's". career, but moth
ing has been permitted to mar his
history. His memory is kept green
in the archives of the historical muse
UNI of Wisconsin, and green still in
the legends that are handed down
for generation to generation in the
state for which he did his Bit
Christian Science Monitor.
Pledge Best As Officers
Out of the Preside in San Francis
On vot1nu mon from tho Coast ctatas