The most famous mascot in the history of the U.S. Army was an eagle. In 1861, a Chippewa Indian chief chopped down a tree to get two eaglets in a nest. One eaglet died in the fall, but the other became Chief Sky’s pet. He traded him for a bushel of corn to Daniel McCann of Wisconsin. McCann kept the bird in a cage, but found feeding him to be expensive. When the Civil War broke out, he tried selling it to passing soldiers. Capt. John Perkins bought it for $2.50. It became the mascot for a militia unit called the “Eau Claire Badgers”. It was given the name “Eau Claire Eagle”. The unit became Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It became the “Eagle Regiment” and the bird was renamed “Old Abe”. It accompanied them sitting on a perch next to the colors. The regiment fought in the western theater. It participated in the Vicksburg and Red River campaigns. In battle, it could sometimes be seen soaring over the battlefield. The eagle became famous, even in the South where it called the “Yankee Buzzard”. In one battle, Confederate Gen. Sterling Price fumed “that bird must be captured or killed at all hazards. I would rather get that eagle than capture a whole brigade or dozen battle flags.” In 1864, the regiment was mustered out. “Old Eagle” was donated to the Wisconsin government. It lived in an aviary in the Capitol building, but was often away for veteran reunions and patriotic meetings. It became associated with the U.S. Sanitary Commission which provided aid for wounded veterans. School kids sold pictures of “Old Abe” to raise money for the commission. In 1876, it was featured attraction at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. In 1881, a fire broke out in the basement of the Capitol. Old Abe’s calls alerted people and the fire was put out, but not before Old Abe inhaled fumes. One month later, “Old Abe” died due to the fumes. In 1921, the 101st Airborne Division (portrayed in “Band of Brothers”) adopted “Old Abe” for its patches.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Abe
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