Old Abe, The War Eagle
N 45° 03.523 W 091° 16.273
15T E 636115 N 4990926
Old Abe, The War Eagle fought in the Civil War for the Union. This Historical Marker is located at a Wayside off Hwy 178 1/2 mile North of Jim Falls
Waymark Code: WM23T9
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 08/30/2007
Views: 65
The marker reads:
“This wayside is part of the old McCann farm, childhood home of Old Abe, the War Eagle. In the Spring of 1861 a band of hungry Chippewa came to the McCann farm and traded a young eagle for corn. The eagle became a family pet. When Company C, Eighth Wisconsin was organized at Eau Claire for Civil War duty, the crippled Dan McCann offered his eagle’s services as mascot, feeling that “someone from the family ought to go.” On October 12, 1861, the Eagle Regiment started for the front. In action Old Abe spread his wings and screamed encouragement to his men. The louder the noise of battle, the louder and fiercer were his screams. The eagle served with the regiment in 42 skirmishes and battles and lost only a few feathers. After three years’ service, Old Abe was formally presented to the State of Wisconsin September 26, 1864. A room was equipped for him in the Capitol and a man employed to care for him. His last public appearance occurred at the National Encampment of the G. A. R. in Milwaukee in 1880, where he and General U. S. Grant were honored guests. After a brief illness, Old Abe died March 28, 1881.”
I was talking to a park ranger at a Civil War fort in Georgia and he told me about a diorama in Atlanta showing a Civil War battle that included Old Abe!
Type of Memorial: plaque
Type of Animal: service, work animal
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Visit Instructions:
Proof of visit is required. The easiest proof is a gps photo of the memorial. GPS photos will always be acceptable proof. Individual waymarks may ask for an alternative type of proof of visit.