Old Abe, the Civil War Battle Eagle

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Old Abe, a tame bald eagle, was the mascot of the 8th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War and became a living symbol of the Union at war. He traveled with the 8th throughout the regiment's participation in campaigns in the Western Theater from 1861 to 1864. Carried on a perch atop a shield, Old Abe was never wounded in any of the 37 engagements he participated in. He became famous for spreading his wings and shrieking at appropriate moments and was glorified by the Northern media. The 8th donated him to the government of Wisconsin, and Old Abe spent his postwar years living at the state Capitol, attending political rallies and being displayed at charity fundraisers.
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More on Old Abe's Life and Legacy
Ah-ga-mah-we-zhig (Chief Sky) of the Lac du Flambeau Lake Superior Chippewas captured Old Abe when he was an eaglet in 1861. Chief Sky traded the eaglet to the McCanns of the Jim Falls area. The McCanns later sold the adolescent eagle to the Eau Claire company of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry who named him Old Abe. The Eau Claire company combined with others to form the 8th regiment, and Old Abe became famous as their mascot and a constant presence in battle, on the march and in camp. During his life with the regiment, Old Abe became known for pilfering from the camp, spreading his wings on command and dancing to music.
In 1863 the 8th Wisconsin presented Old Abe to the state, and the eagle spent the rest of his life captive at the Capitol building in Madison or on display for various political, social and cultural causes. Old Abe's living conditions while in the government's care declined over time and he suffered from exhaustion, exposure and malnutrition on a number of occasions.
In 1881 a small fire broke out in the basement of the Capitol, igniting stored paints and oils and filling Old Abe's quarters with smoke. The flames did not reach Old Abe's confines, but the smoke seemed to negatively affect his health. He sickened and died within a month.
After his death, the state had Old Abe's corpse preserved by taxidermy. He was displayed at the Wisconsin Historical Society until 1903 when he was moved to the G.A.R. Memorial Hall in the Capitol. A fire the next year in 1904 consumed his remains.
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Wisconsin Historical Society
 
A soldier wrote home after the battle of Corinth:
The finest thing I ever saw was a live American eagle carried by the Eighth Wisconsin in place of a flag. It would fly off over the enemy during the hottset [sic] of the fight, then would return and seat himself upon his pole, clap his pinions, shake his head and then start off again. Many and hearty were the cheers that arose from our lines as the old eagle would sail around, first to the right, then to the left, and always return to his post regardless of the storm of leaden hail which was flying around him.
 
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Abe with her last caretaker George Gillies. In February 1881, a small fire broke out in the basement of the Capitol. After Old Abe raised an alarm, the fire was quickly put out. However, the eagle inhaled a large amount of thick black smoke, and about a month later, lost strength and began to decline. On March 26, 1881, in spite of the efforts of numerous doctors, Old Abe died in the arms of George.
 
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