Old Abe and Friends-- Part 4: Retired, Fame and the Fires

In 1864, Old Abe, already famous, was presented to the State of Wisconsin and lived in his own room at the Capitol Building.  He was often taken on the road to help raise money for veterans causes.  In 1880, he made his last appearance for a GAR meeting in Milwaukee.

In 1881, there was a small fire in the Capitol Building.  Old Abe raised the alarm and it was put out, but not after he had inhaled much smoke and he later died of it on March 26.

On September 17, 1881, his stuffed remains  were placed in a glass display case in the rotunda.  The remains were later transferred to two other buildings before being returned to the Capitol Building in 1903.  Sadly, another fire in 1904 destroyed Old Abe's remains

Since 1915, a replica of Old Abe has presided over  the General Assembly Chamber and another one is on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison.

For 100 years, the J.I. Case agricultural company incorporated Old Abe in its logo and he is also on the insignia of the 101st Airborne Division in the Army.

--Old Secesh

Old Abe and Friends-- Part 3: The Story of an Eagle

Old Abe was the War Eagle (and a Bald Eagle at that) of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

The eaglet was captured by local Indians and sold to a white settler who later sold it to a company of the 8th for $2.50.  Upon acquisition of the young eagle (who still did not have the "white" head), this company had its name changed from the Eau Claire Badgers to the Eagle Company.

The company's captain named the bird Old Abe after the president and the company quartermaster built a special Union shield perch for Old Abe.    James McGinnis became the handler.

Old Abe was not a favorite of the Confederates and sometimes referred to as the "Yankee Buzzard."  Special efforts were always made to kill him.

But, during the course of Old Abe's service, he was in 42 battles and skirmishes.

--Old Secesh

Dogs in the Civil War-- Part 1

From the June 2012 Dog Press by Fred Lanting. It was sad that the editors chose to note that the photo of Mr. Lanting posing as a Southern Rebel was appropriate for his column. It is a sad day when we have to come to that.

The article had several photos. One shows "Irish Wolfhound sleeps beneath a Celtic Cross commemorating The Irish Brigade. Another shows the symbol of "The Grayhounds" and another of "Sallie" on the 11th Pennsylvania statue. I have already written about her.

In addition to dogs at war, the 8th Wisconsin Infantry had the eagle "Old Abe" which had been given them by an Indian.

--Old Secesh