Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-08-31
The Story of a Famous Eagle

PING tree discovered that il contained
an eagles nest w.th nedgiings, one
u which he Captured, despite ale
ihOther BIRDS attempts 10 prevent him.
Inc indians interest in the eaglct was
purely mercenary, and he soon dis
poSeo oil nm for bushel of corn;
his second owner sold him after n
snort time for five dollars, when he
was presented 10 Captain Perkins who
was recruiting a company at Eau
Ciaire, Wis. When the command went
10 Madison in September, 1861. TO
become part of the Eighth Wisconsin
volunteers, the eagle, now about half
grown, accompanied il and was adopt-
ed by the regiment, duly enlisted and
sworn IN, and named "Old Abe" on
account OF his severe and dignifed cast
OF countenance. A platform, attach.
ed TO the top of a staff, was prepared
TOT MN, and tall soldier of Company
I was detailed to carry it with the
eagle sitting there on perch, his po
s''ioh In the ranks being always near
the colors. When the Eighth Wiscon-
sin departed for the front Old Abe
mus went with the men, giving to the
command the -sobriquet, 1.-The Live
Eagle Regiment"
Through the excellent care that Old
ABE ever enjoyed, he developed into
magnificent representative of his
species, finely proportioned, with a
piumage of gold-tinged brown, head
ana neck perfectly white, beak large,
hinty, sharp and symmetrically form
co. and with a breadth of outstretched
wings OF more than six feet The
eagle was confined to his perch by a
cord, though at times he was left I'M
tethered when he would fly away to
considerable distances, but he was
ever faithful to return He seemed
10 delight in the furious tumult of
oattie, screaming, Tapping his wings,
snawing his perch in sort of FRENZY.
and soaring sometimes high above the
smoke and confusion Of the conflict.
mat he escaped without wound
through his experience of three years
service and thirty battles, was due to
MS habit in action of either remaining
on the ground with the men or of
flying above them, out of range of the
bullets. AT the battle of Corinth his
cord was cut by a shot and Old Abe
rose high in the air, and as if in scorn
OF the Confederate army, was seen
flying majestically over and beyond
their lines. Midst all the confusion
and carnage of the fight the men of
the Eighth Wisconsin viewed with dis
may the departure Of their old hero.
believing that from so distant a flight
ne would never return, though his
perch was carried back from the line
they had been holding, but Old Abe
was too good and experienced a SOL
der to desert his flag in its hour of
sorrow and peril, and it was not long
before he glided down upon his staff
in his accustomed place beside the
colors and brought rejoicing and
courage to every man of the stricken
regiment.
The ConfederateS knew and hated
Old Abe and in vain had their sharp
shooters make him their target, for
they were aware that his presence and
his scream portended defeat through
his inspiring influence on the Union
troops around him. He was of I'M
daunted courage, war-bird by nature,
and would remain undisturbed near q
cannon with its belching fire and
thunder The soldiers deemed him pos
sessed of much intelligence and of
sensitive, patriotic spirit, fancying
that they could observe citation in his
manners after victory had been won,
and when defeat had been experienced,
they were sure that they could de-
tect in Old Abe's demeanor a humil-
lated attitude, as if he really apprec-
lated the varying fortunes Of war.
After the collapse of the Confeder-
acy Old Abe was presented to the
State of Wisconsin, quarters were pro-
vided for him on the capitol grounds
at Madison, and soldier detailed to
take care of him. Here, for a period
of sixteen years, till his death, he re-
manned, observed and honored as per-
haps no other eagle has ever been in
the history of the world. He was re-
nowned throughout the land, admired,
and loved by all. General Grant, even,