(The following is from Chapter 6 of the book entitled “Rosecrans Meets Price: The Battle of Iuka, Mississippi,” written by Dr. Ben Kitchens. This is Part 2 of a three-part series.)

The eagle soon became a great pet for the entire 8th Wisconsin Regiment and a center of attraction for thousands of visitors. Captain Perkins, of Company C, gave him the name of “Abe” in honor of the President, Abraham Lincoln. He was consecrated by Company C to the country’s service, and no sum of money could purchase him. The men of the Company declared that “Old Abe” would never be captured by the Confederates. Once when the regiment was in St. Louis, Missouri, the eagle was the center of attraction. One man offered $500 for the eagle, which Captain Perkins refused saying, “I would just as soon sell one of my men.”

Abe weighed over 10 pounds, his breast was full, his head large and well developed, and his beak was nearly three inches in length. His legs were bright yellow, the feet were plump and on each foot were four talons with sharp ends which looked like steel. His wings measured from tip to tip six and a half feet. The color of his plumage was brown with a golden tinge, and his head, the greater part of his neck, and his tail were white. The men of the 8th Regiment took exemplary care of “Old Abe.” They built a perch on top of a wooden pole on which they carried him into battle. To prevent “Old Abe” from flying away, he had to have his wings clipped frequently and was secured with a strong rope.  

As the Wisconsin soldiers participated in more and more campaigns, “Old Abe” became better known and recognized. He became a symbol of bravery and determination. He remained with Company C, but the regiment (and the entire brigade) claimed him as their mascot. Whenever the regiment marched, citizens would line the streets to get a glimpse of the famous eagle.

“Old Abe’s” first engagement was the Battle of Farmington, Mississippi. David McLain, a member of Company C, later wrote:

“The first fight the eagle was in was the Battle of Farmington, Miss., where he showed a great deal of sagacity. When we were ordered to lie down on the ground, under a dreadful artillery fire from the enemy’s batteries, he flew off his perch, getting as low as he could, and lay there until he saw the regiment rise to advance, when he flew upon his perch again, and remained there through the engagement.”

Several members of Company C served as “Old Abe’s” bearer during the Civil War and none were ever injured while holding him. The first carrier was James McGinnis, a 19-year-old farmer who carried the mascot until May 1862. David McLain was Abe’s most famous carrier. He was officially given the duty on August 18, 1862, about a month before he carried “Old Abe” into Iuka.

When Colonel Robert C. Murphy entered Iuka in the early afternoon of September 12th from the east with his command, Colonel Mizner still was there, as well as the large hoard of government property, but all of the troops had pulled out. Colonel Murphy inspected the stores, many of them located near the Iuka Depot, and estimated that about two trainloads or 30 carloads of property were still there. (The depot at that time lay to the west of the later brick depot. It was adjacent to the railroad, midway between Pearl and Main Streets.)

Shortly after his arrival in Iuka, Colonel J. K. Mizner delivered a communication to Murphy from Colonel H. G. Kennett, General Rosecrans’ Chief of Staff. This notice instructed him to bivouac his troops at the most suitable places. The 5th Minnesota Regiment was to be placed adjacent to the Railroad Depot in Iuka to guard the stores which had been stockpiled there. They were also to place pickets around the town in the same positions formerly occupied by the 27th Illinois, to preserve order, and to give such assistance as might be required in loading the trains.  

Murphy was ordered to hold himself in readiness to march by “foot or rail.” Colonel Murphy, however, felt very ill after the long march. He dispatched a message to General Rosecrans acknowledging receipt of his order and promising to act accordingly. “I am too sick to do more just now,” the Colonel replied. “I must go to bed.”

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RaNae Vaughn is president of the Tishomingo County Historical Genealogical Society-TCHS, and a board member of the Tishomingo County Archives and History Museum.