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Old Abe, the Famous Civil War Eagle
On March 26, 1881, Old Abe, the famous Civil War eagle, died from injuries sustained during a fire at the state Capitol. As the mascot for Infantry Company C out of Eau Claire, part of Wisconsin's 8th Regiment, Old Abe saw action in 37 battles and skirmishes, raising troop morale as he swooped above them. During encampment, Abe would perform stunts to entertain the soldiers. Famous for his wartime exploits, Abe became a symbol of valor and freedom after the war.
How did an eagle end up a Civil War hero?
His story began in 1861 when Ahgamahwegezhig (Chief Big Sky) of the Flambeau Band of Chippewa captured the eaglet that would become known as Old Abe. Chief Big Sky traded the eaglet to Daniel McCann and his family for a bag of corn, and Abe became the family pet.
Later that year, when President Lincoln called for troops, McCann tried to enlist, but a childhood accident that left him with a limp prevented him from joining. McCann, seeking to show his support for the war, suggested that his eagle would make an excellent mascot and sold him to the Eau Claire militia for $2.50. All of the newly enlisted men had donated 10 cents to cover the cost and the eagle was ceremoniously sworn into military service.
The militia and the eagle traveled to Madison, becoming part of the 8th Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Captain John E. Perkins named the eagle Old Abe after the newly elected president. After training at Camp Randall in Madison, Abe accompanied the regiment south. Abe traveled 14,000 miles with the regiment during the war.
At the end of the war, Old Abe was presented to the state of Wisconsin. He lived for 15 years in the "Eagle department," a two-room apartment in the basement of the Capitol. Abe attracted thousands of visitors and earned money for charities and politicians by appearing as the star attraction at fund-raising events.
On March 26, 1881, a fire broke out near Abe's room. He was rescued but later died of smoke inhalation. Abe's remains were stuffed and put on display in the Capitol. He was moved briefly to the new State Historical Society building in 1901 but came back to the Capitol by order of Governor La Follette in 1903. Unfortunately, the Capitol burned down in 1904, and the stuffed body of Old Abe was lost in the fire. A replica has been on display in the Assembly chambers since 1915.
This feather is one of the few remaining parts of the eagle. See photographs and read more about the famous eagle in Old Abe the War Eagle by Wisconsin Historical Society Press author Richard Zeitlin.
:: Posted March 27, 2006
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