Near Jim Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Abe, the War Eagle

Photographed by Keith L, October 22, 2011

1. Old Abe, the War Eagle Marker

Inscription. This wayside is part of the old McCann farm, childhood home of Old Abe, the War Eagle. In the Spring of 1861 a band of hungry Chippewa came to the McCann farm and traded a young eagle for corn. The eagle became a family pet. When Company C, Eighth Wisconsin was organized at Eau Claire for Civil War duty, the crippled Dan McCann offered his eagle’s services as mascot, feeling that “someone from the family ought to go.” On October 12, 1861, the Eagle Regiment started for the front. In action Old Abe spread his wings and screamed encouragement to his men. The louder the noise of battle, the louder and fiercer were his screams. The eagle served with the regiment in 42 skirmishes and battles and lost only a few feathers. After three years’ service, Old Abe was formally presented to the State of Wisconsin September 26, 1864. A room was equipped for him in the Capitol and a man employed to care for him. His last public appearance occurred at the National Encampment of the G. A. R. in Milwaukee in 1880, where he and General U. S. Grant were honored guests. After a brief illness, Old Abe died March 28, 1881.

Erected 1954 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals

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• War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1788.

Location. 45° 3.529′ N, 91° 16.281′ W. Marker is near Jim Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. It is on State Highway 178 0.1 miles south of 150th Avenue/Barn Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14981 Highway 178, Jim Falls WI 54748, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Abe the War Eagle (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Cobban Bridge (approx. 4.4 miles away); Bohemian National Cemetery (approx. 6.2 miles away); Western Bohemian-Fraternal Association (approx. 6.3 miles away); Nation's First Cooperative Generating Station (approx. 6.8 miles away); Stanley's Mill (approx. 7.1 miles away); Cornell Women's Club Tablet (approx. 8.8 miles away); Saint Peter's Catholic Church (approx. 9 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Old Abe the Civil War Eagle. "...a place was provided for him at the state capitol at Madison, where he was viewed by thousands. He was also taken to various parts of the United States, being in great demand

Photographed by Keith L, October 14, 2008

2. Old Abe, the War Eagle Marker

all over. He attended national conventions, was taken to the great centennial at Philadelphia and other noted gatherings, where he was the center of attraction." (Submitted on November 30, 2008.)

2. Old Abe. "Atlas Obscura" entry. (Submitted on August 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Keith L, October 14, 2008

3. Old Abe, the War Eagle Marker

Marker at Wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 22, 2011

4. Marker at Wayside

Photographed by Keith L, October 14, 2008

5. Marker at Wayside

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 4,340 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on November 30, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.