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Old Abe the War Eagle
Old Abe - The Case Eagle The Case Eagle, Old Abe is a well known industrial trademark throughout the main streets and countrysides of thousands of cities and towns in the U.S. and modernized countries the world over. King of the sky, the eagle is an established symbol in American life and heritage. The Case Eagle, Old Abe is far more than merely a trademark. He is a character out of history, a bird with a personality and a story all his own.
Mr. Case first encountered the eagle in 1861 while on a business trip to Eau Claire where Company C was parading. Over the ruffle of drums and the trampoof marching feet, the bird was screaming his battle cry. Mr. Case questioned a boy standing along side, "Where did he come from, the eagle?" The boy told him Old Abe's story.
Then and there Mr. Case determined to adopt Old Abe as the symbol of his business just as soon as the unhappy war was over. In 1865 Old Abe began his career as the most famous bird in agricultural history as the trademark of the J. I. Case Company. The firm was manfacturing horse-drawn threshers at this time. In 1894, when the Case company expanded it's operations to South America, the symbol was changed to show the eagle perched on the world. It was a world famous trademark; every tractor had the symbol cast right in front of their radiator. The use of the eagle trademark was used for 75 years until being discontinued in 1969 when Tenneco was purchased by the Case company.
History of Crawford and Richland Counties April 1884
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Description: On a shield, sable the head of a bald eagle erased proper. Immediately above and touching the shoulder sleeve insignia, a black arc tab inscribed "AIRBORNE" in yellow letters.
Symbolism: The design is based on one of the Civil War traditions of the state of Wisconsin, this state being the territory of the original 101st Division after World War I. The black shield recalls the old “Iron Brigade,” one of whose regiments possess “Old Abe,” the famous war eagle.
Distinctive Unit Insignia Description: A gold colored metal and enamel device consisting of a medium blue disc; on and over the disc a black demi-eagle with white head, wing details, eye and beak gold in downward flight issuing from a white cloud in sinister base, all above a gold scroll bearing the motto "Rendezvous with Destiny" in black letters.
Symbolism: The design was suggested by the division's shoulder sleeve insignia, the black eagle alluding to "Old Abe" an eagle carried into combat during the Civil War by one of of regiments of the old "Iron Brigade" from the state of Wisconsin, the territory of the original 101st Division after World War I, the color black being symbolic of iron. The eagle issuing in downward flight from the cloud refers to the airborne classification of the division.
'Old Abe' soars again in Jim Falls
Chippewa Herald, by Rod Stetzer, June 19, 1999Members of the 8th Wisconsin, Company C, stand at attention during the rededication of the Old Abe statute in Jim Falls Saturday. Jim Reynen of Eau Claire holds a shield bearing a replica of the famed Civil War Eagle.
Jim Falls: He was captured by Indians in northern Wisconsin and swapped for a bushel of corn. He was taken to Jim Falls and was eventually turned over to be used a mascot of the Eau Claire company of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, that later gained fame as the Eagle Regiment. He saw action in 37 battles, scaring the enemy and inspiring his comrades.
When he had seen his last battle, his home state gave him a permanent perch in the basement of the state Capitol. And when the nation he and the veterans helped to preserve celebrated it's centennial, he represented Wisconsin in a display that drew over 1 million visitors.
The legacy of Old Abe, Wisconsin’s Civil War eagle, didn’t stop with his death in 1881. It was celebrated again Saturday as a 20-mile trail bearing his name was dedicated, and his refurbished statute was rededicated. The trail to be used by hikers, bicyclists and in-line skaters, runs from 97th Avenue, at the junction of County S and O in the town of Anson, to Cornell.
Speakers at Saturday’s ceremonies referred to Old Abe as “he” intend of the “it” a common bird would be called. But Old Abe was no common bird, said Richard H. Zeitland, director of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison and author of “Old Abe the War Eagle.” “Old Abe is like shorthand for us in the Civil War experience,” Zeitland said.
The reality of Old Abe’s existence is almost sad, Zeitland said. He couldn’t fly because his wings were clipped several times. “He was always on a leash,” Zeitland said. Still, the eagle was there when Wisconsin residents repeatedly marched into fierce and bloody battles during the war fought from 1861-1865. Zeitland said the state, which then had a population of present-day Milwaukee, sent 50 percent of its males to fight for the union and 12,000 of them died.
“More Wisconsinites were killed in the Civil War than all of the other wars put together,” Zeitland said. The war transformed the union into a nation, he said. Old Abe, named after President Abraham Lincoln, came to be a symbol of the sacrifice, service and bravery shown by the soldiers.
The Jim Falls Lions Club in 1990 dedicated a 10 1/2-foot tall statute of Old Abe that cost $15,000. Last year vandals damaged the statute, and the club refurbished to its former glory for its rededication.
The trail that bears the eagle’s name winds two blocks away from the statute, and was a cooperative project by the state, the state Department of Natural Resources, Chippewa County and the Friends of the Old Abe Trail.
The trail won’t officially open until next week when safety signs are installed. Already it has drawn many users, including bicyclist Gloria Warner of Chippewa Falls. “I think it’s great,” Warner said after officials cut a ribbon to dedicate the trail. She said she’s used it four times already and plans to use it five or six times a year. And when she does, perhaps she’ll recall a Wisconsin symbol whose fame still soars.
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