OLD ABE OF CO. C WAR MEMORIAL

THE EAGLE WAS SWORN INTO U.S. SERVICE AND HIS FIRST BEARER, JAMES MCGINNES OF EAU CLAIRE, TRAINED THE EAGLE TO OBEY VARIOUS COMMANDS. OLD ABE WAS NAMED IN HONOR OF HIS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. COMPANY C BECAME THE EAGLE COMPANY AND THE EIGHT WISCONSIN REGIMENT BECAME THE EAGLE REGIMENT. OLD ABE WAS CARRIED AS A MASCOT THROUGH THIRTY-SIX BATTLES OR SKIRMISHES OF THE CIVIL WAR. AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR OLD ABE WAS PRESENTED BY THE EAGLE COMPANY TO THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. A PLACE WAS PROVIDED FOR HIM AT THE STATE CAPITOL WHERE HE WAS VIEWED BY THOUSANDS. IN MARCH 1881, A FIRE STARTED IN THE STATE CAPITOL AND AS A RESULT OF SMOKE INHALATION OLD ABE DIED A FEW DAYS LATER.