OLD ABE, The Eighth Wisconsin War Eagle (8th Wisconsin Regimental History)

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SUBTITLED: A Full Account of His Capture and Enlistment,Exploits in War and Honorable as well as Useful Career in Peace. BOOK DESCRIPTION: 12 mo, 173 pgs, frontis illustration, 3 portraits. Original blue decorative cloth with gilt title cover. CONDITION DESCRIPTION: Covers rubbed and worn on edges, joints, and spine ends. Interior has inked name of former owner, else is clean and tight. CONTENTS DESCRIPTION: Old Abe witnessed 37 battles and skirmishes, including some of the bloodiest fighting at Vicksburg and Corinth, Mississippi. He became an inspirational symbol to the troops, akin to a ceremonial flag carried by each regiment. Col. Rufus Dawes (6th Wisc.) of the Iron Brigade recalled, "Our eagle usually accompanied us on the bloody field, and I heard [Confederate] prisoners say they would have given more to capture the eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin, than to take a whole brigade of men." At the end of the war, Old Abe was presented to the State of Wisconsin. For 15 years he lived in the "Eagle Department" in the basement of the Capitol, attracting thousands of visitors. During this period, Old Abe also served as the star attraction at many fundraising events, earning thousands of dollars for politicians and charities. Old Abe's long life ended March 26, 1881, when he died from smoke inhalation during a fire in the Capitol. His remains were stuffed and mounted, and for the next 20 years his body remained on display in the rotunda of the Capitol building. After construction of the new State Historical Society building in 1901, Old Abe was briefly housed at that facility before being moved back to the Capitol in 1903. His remains were destroyed a few months later when the Capitol building burned down on February 26, 1904. REFERENCES; DORN WI 87: Not in Nevins. N° de ref. del artículo 0124032

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