456 THE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 



great virtues and gigantic proportions of character. In 

 later years, the history of a certain individual of our Hali- 

 aetus has fully vindicated the adoption of the Eagle to sym- 

 bolize the national glory of the United States, as well as the 

 adoption of its kind, for a similar purpose, by various na- 

 tions from the most ancient times, including Rome and 

 France. The famous Wisconsin Eagle, called " Old Abe," 

 has a history which fills a volume, and justly renders him 

 immortal. Taken, by the son of an Indian Chief, from a 

 nest in the northern part of the State, where an extensive 

 net-work of lakes and streams find their outlet, in the Chip- 

 pewa River, and reared by the same, he was sold, when two 

 months old, to a resident of Eau Claire, in August, 1861, for 

 a bushel of corn. This gentleman afterward sold him to 

 the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry. He was formally sworn 

 into the service, provided with a perch and bearer, and 

 passed three years in the hottest of the late war ; and pass- 

 ing through 36 battles and skirmishes, was brought back by 

 a mere remnant of his company, to his native State, un- 

 harmed. The intelligence he evinced in this grand career 

 was surprising. Avenging every insult, or even unwarrant- 

 able liberty, in the most signal, and sometimes ludicrous, 

 manner, he recognized friends with the utmost appreciation; 

 seeming to understand and sympathize with every move- 

 ment of his regiment. He would drop from his perch, when 

 the men lay down under a heavy firing from the enemy, 

 and mount it again when they rose. He would whistle in 

 expression of approval, and flap his wings at each round o*f 

 cheers or peal of music ; and, snapping asunder the cord 

 which bound him to his perch, would soar above the smoke 

 and din of battle, cheering his regiment with loud and most 

 significant screams; and afterward alighting on its standard, 

 would seem to participate in the joy of victory. After his 



