WIEAUCLA-L Archives

From: Nance Sampson <>
Subject: [WIEAUCLA] Civil War News, 14 June 2000
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 08:47:10 -0500

Today we will start reading the accounts of that Civil War bird -- you
know, Old Abe! This section is quite extensive, so it will be broken
down into several days worth of info. I'm not sure if this is also part
of Mr. A. R. Barnes' personal war accounts or just items that William
Bartlett accumulated when putting this chapter together for the book,
"The History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, 1914", but whatever it is,
it is good!

Old Abe, The War Eagle

Some remarks in regard to the eagle taken out by the Perkin's
company may not be out of place at this time. By far the best history
of this bird ever written is that of Rev. J. O. Barrett, a Universalist
clergyman of Eau Claire. The first edition of his book appeared in
1865, and a number of other editions since. As evidence of the
painstaking care exercised by Rev. Barrett in the preparation of his
narrative I give below several extracts from his book:

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, February 13, 1865
J. O. Barrett, Esq.
Dear Sir: Having been engaged for a short time in the collection of
information relative to the capture and early ownership of the eagle of
the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, whose history you intend to publish, I
take pleasure in submitting a few facts in regard to the progress made.
Ascertaining, first, that the eagle had been sold to Mr. Daniel McCann,
of the town of Eagle Point, in this county by some Indians, you wished
me to discover, if possible, who those Indians were, and to secure their
presence at Eau Claire at an early day. I learned from Mr. McCann that
the Indians who had brought the eagle to him in the summer of 1861 were
of the Lake Flambeau tribe, and that the owner was a son of Ah-monse,
chief of that tribe or band, of the Chippewa Indians. I proceeded to
obtain corroborative evidence of this account, and found, through the
evidence of Mr. John Brunet, Mr. James Ermatinger, Mr. Charles Corbine
and others -- all old residents of the upper Chippewa and Flambeau
rivers -- besides the testimony of different Indians who were acquainted
with the facts of the capture of the eagle, that it was correct. All
accounts agree that the name of the captor of the bird is
A-ge-mah-we-go-zhig, or Chief Sky, one of the five sons of the said
Ah-monse. Having satisfied myself by such evidence, and by other
inquiries made in every direction, that there could be no mistake in the
identity of the captor of the eagle, I have made arrangements, according
to your directions, to bring the said A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig to Eau Claire
as soon as possible. He is now with his band, hunting between the head
waters of the Yellow and Flambeau rivers, and is shortly expected at
Brunet's Falls, on the Chippewa.
Wishing you full success in the publication of your work, I remain,
with much respect, Yours truly, Theodore Coleman.

Ascertaining that A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig, with other hunters, would
soon arrive at Brunet's Falls on their way up the river, Mr. Coleman
engaged Mr. Brunet to detain him there until a concerted movement. At
length they came, the Indian with them, to whom was communicated the
wishes of the "whiteman at Eau Claire," who desired to talk with him
"about the eagle he caught a few years ago." He hesitated, apprehensive
of a trick, for all white men had not been true to their red brethren.
Finally he appealed to his father. It was a grave question indeed; they
were all afraid of being arrested for capturing an eagle! After a long
counsel together the old chief resolved to go to Chippewa Falls without
further waiting, requiring his boys to follow the next day, and appear
in proper costume, should he find it safe. Arriving there he had an
interview with H. S. Allen, Esq., a pioneer resident, who, being a
friend of the Indians, persuaded him to venture. Meeting his boys, as
before arranged, he selected two of them, A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig and
A-zha-wash-co-ge-zhig, and with Messrs. Coleman and Barrett and Elijah
Ermatinger for interpreter, rode to Eau Claire, the 19th of February
1865, welcomed with a cordiality that at once inspired mutual
confidence. The native nobility of these sons of the northern forests
created quite a sensation. A-ge-mah-we-ge-zhig related his eagle
adventures in a very intelligent manner, so simple and candid as to
assure every one present of their truthfulness. His father, who is much
beloved as chief of the tribe, was particularly loquacious and is
properly named Ah-monse, the "Thunder of Bees." He had much to say
about his "Great Father Lincoln," whom he has visited several times at
Washington in the interest of his tribe, averring that Mr. Lincoln gave
him plenty of money, and to his children much land, and let him see a
battlefield." Photographs of these "red brothers" were taken by A. J.
Devor, of Eau Claire, and never did mortal appear more proud than the
eagle captor when attiring himself in regal costume for his carte de
visite. A full-blooded Indian of consequence -- then about twenty-five
years old -- belonging to the royal family of the Flambeaux, it is glory
enough for him to be known among his fellows as the captor of the
American eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin regiment of volunteers.

++++++++++++

We will continue on with the information about Old Abe and read a
personal letter from W. W. Bartlett on his accounts of the eagle. Join
us again next time, okay?

--
Nance
mailto:

This thread:

• [WIEAUCLA] Civil War News, 14 June 2000 by Nance Sampson <>