Old Abe

[Pete Longstreet]

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...

 

[donna]

There are some threads on him in Four Footed Forum. He one of my favorite mascots.

 

[Lubliner]

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.

 

[archieclement]

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.

 

[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.

Maybe just the time he flew to the other side and back again. That passage could be stretched by word of mouth?
Lubliner.

 

[Iowa Miss]

A replica of Old Abe presides in the assembly chambers in Wisconsin's capitol. Here's the link for a picture:

The Assembly Chambers

THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS The Wisconsin State Assembly is located in the west wing of the state Capitol on the second floor. There are ninety-nine representatives who serve the people of Wisconsin in the lower chamber of the legislature. Each of the members is elected every two years.The Speaker…

legis.wisconsin.gov

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

 

[archieclement]

A replica of Old Abe presides in the assembly chambers in Wisconsin's capitol. Here's the link for a picture:

The Assembly Chambers

THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS The Wisconsin State Assembly is located in the west wing of the state Capitol on the second floor. There are ninety-nine representatives who serve the people of Wisconsin in the lower chamber of the legislature. Each of the members is elected every two years.The Speaker…

legis.wisconsin.gov

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......

 

[Cavalry Charger]

I did like the fact that Grant and Sherman would tip their caps at him as they went by

Great story, and one I wasn't familiar with either.

 

[Ole Miss]

A replica of Old Abe sits atop the Wisconsin Monument at Vicksburg.
Regards
David

 

[Unforgiven]

Never heard this story before. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ole Miss]

I forgot to add this site from Vicksburg National Military Park about the Wisconsin monument
Regards
David

Wisconsin Memorial - Vicksburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

 

[major bill]

Case tractors used Old Abe as a symbol on their tractors.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

He did still have a regal appearance ( stuffed even) as late as 1904.

WisHistory

www.wisconsinhistory.org

 

[JPChurch]

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.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

101's insignia shoulder patch when it was created during World War II.

That's one of the most famous US Army insignias in our military history !

I had no idea it was "Old Abe" the Wisconsin eagle that fought in Mississippi . . . until a few years ago.

 

[Tom Hughes]

A replica of Old Abe sits atop the Wisconsin Monument at Vicksburg.
Regards
David

I've always liked that monument.

 

[Gary Morgan]

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.

 

[War Horse]

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...

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Thank you for sharing. I'd not read that before.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I've heard 3 generations of 101st troopers say the eagle on the patch is "Old Abe." If it wasn't originally, it certainly is now!

 

[frontrank2]

Good to see Old Abe ( actually a female ) brought up again. I posted a thread many years ago ( 2014 ) so it has been buried for some time. Here is a link to the old thread which has a little more info. https://civilwartalk.com/threads/old-abe-the-civil-war-battle-eagle.98148/#post-850227