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 of 

 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 



