Old Abe

Pete Longstreet

2nd Lieutenant
Forum Host
Joined
Mar 3, 2020
Location
Hartford, CT
Just came across this story about Old Abe and found it interesting. Figured I would share it for anyone who didn't know about him. I didn't know until now...

Screenshot_20200416-130317_Instagram.jpg


Screenshot_20200416-131134_Photos.jpg


Screenshot_20200416-130418_Instagram.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Definitely some interesting anecdotes on Old Abe. It amuses me the confederates took potshots at him. I guess either sport or rage, whichever character mood swung the barrel round.
Lubliner.
I've always wondered about that, I haven't read an account of the pole actually being taken into battle.....For example at the battle of Fredericktown he was tethered to the courthouse to keep him out of harms way.
 
I've always wondered about that, I haven't read an account of the pole actually being taken into battle.....For example at the battle of Fredericktown he was tethered to the courthouse to keep him out of harms way.
Maybe just the time he flew to the other side and back again. That passage could be stretched by word of mouth?
Lubliner.
 
A replica of Old Abe presides in the assembly chambers in Wisconsin's capitol. Here's the link for a picture:


and a close up photo: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asgt/pages/old-abe/

There's also a statue of him in Jim Falls, WI https://www.roadarch.com/11/8/oabe.jpg

He's the mascot for Eau Claire High School: https://www.roadarch.com/11/8/wisceagle.jpg

J I Case (farm machinery) used him as the trademark: https://www.flickr.com/photos/toby_d1/3814731560/

and https://www.farmcollector.com/steam-traction/the-case-eagle
 
A replica of Old Abe presides in the assembly chambers in Wisconsin's capitol. Here's the link for a picture:


and a close up photo: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asgt/pages/old-abe/

There's also a statue of him in Jim Falls, WI https://www.roadarch.com/11/8/oabe.jpg

He's the mascot for Eau Claire High School: https://www.roadarch.com/11/8/wisceagle.jpg

J I Case (farm machinery) used him as the trademark: https://www.flickr.com/photos/toby_d1/3814731560/

and https://www.farmcollector.com/steam-traction/the-case-eagle
Supposedly, though not sure how the linage is connected, but have seen it claimed the 101st Screaming Eagles is based on it as well, though the 101st has no ACW battle honors......
 
My son was in the 101 Airborne from 2010-2016, he's now in the 1rst Cav. Yes "Old Abe" was the inspiration of the 101's insignia shoulder patch when it was created during World War II. My son had Old Abe on his shoulder during some fierce combat in Afghanistan 2010-2011. He and his fellow soldiers were proud to wear the likeness of him.
 
I love a good story, but before I decided to try writing Civil War History, I wrote three books on birds that were published by Barron's and I raised exotic birds for 17 years, and there's kind of a hole in this one.

If Abe was really taken from the best in 1861, then he would not have had his white head and tail until after the War. Bald Eagles are all dark until they turn 5 years old. He would have looked more like a large hawk than what you think of as looking like a bald eagle. So take the beginning part of the story, about him being taken from the nest by the Ojibwa people in 1861 with a grain of salt.
 
Back
Top