Old Abe, Wisconsin's Civil War Eagle

Old Abe, a tame bald eagle, was the mascot of the 8th Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War and became a living symbol of the Union at war. He traveled with the 8th throughout the regiment's participation in campaigns in the Western Theater from 1861 to 1864. Carried on a perch atop a shield, Old Abe was never wounded in any of the 37 engagements he participated in. He became famous for spreading his wings and shrieking at appropriate moments and was glorified by the Northern media. The 8th donated him to the government of Wisconsin, and Old Abe spent his postwar years living at the state Capitol, attending political rallies and being displayed at charity fundraisers.

An Enduring Popular Symbol

These 75 images cover the gamut of Old Abe's life, his rise to fame and his enduring popularity. They include photographs, engravings, paintings, memorabilia, stereographs and a ferrotype. Many images are portraits of Old Abe depicted alongside patriotic symbols. A few images show Old Abe as an adolescent, before his head feathers turned white. Additionally, images of various Old Abe monuments, reproductions and cultural references highlight just how popular the Wisconsin war eagle was as a symbol of the Union even after his passing.

Media Sensation, Multiple Formats

Because of Old Abe's longstanding Northern popularity, the techniques used to produce these images span the development of image production techniques from the 1860s to the 1970s. Notably, H.H. Bennett produced a number of stereographs of Old Abe perched on a cannon. Rather than highlighting a particular artist or technique, however, this gallery brings together images relating to Old Abe and demonstrates an early example of a media sensation. The long-reaching cultural memory of Old Abe surfaces in multiple ways such as taxidermy reproductions, a company logo, a commemorative spoon and a basketball team.