Table of Contents
- Editor's Comments
- Old Abe the War Eagle
- Humor for Today
- Don't Let Food in your Freezer
go to Waste
- Rabbit Deterrent
- Quotes for Today
- Mayo Alternative
- Leftover Paint
- Subscribe/Unsubscribe
1) Editor's Comments:
This week we're going to take a look at one of our nation's
most famous eagles, Old Abe. Hope you enjoy the story. Because the article
is so long, we'll try to keep the balance of the articles short.
As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate
to drop us a note.
Rex Gregor
GreenThumb@rexseedco.com
Tom Krueger
gtt@goalsmint.com
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2) Old Abe the War Eagle:
from Chippewa County Wisconsin
 Nearly
140 years have passed since a Bald Eagle from Wisconsin captured the hearts
and minds of the American people. The memories have faded but his spirit
has continued to live on.
In the early spring of 1861, a band of Chippewa Indians came to the
farm home of Dan McCann. McCann was a crippled farmer living near Jim
Falls, Wisconsin.
The hungry Indians wanted to barter for some corn to feed their families.
The kindly Dan McCann made a deal with the Indians wherein they traded
him a young Bald Eagle for a bushel of corn.
McCann adopted the Bald Eagle and with the skill of a frontiersman,
he trained the eagle to become a family pet. It wasn't long before the
Eagle would be seen in the fields with Dan.
When the Civil War started, a group of hardy young men volunteered
to form Company "C" of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers. McCann
volunteered his Eagle as a mascot because he felt that "someone
from the family ought to go." The regiment then changed its name
from Badger to Eagle and named the eagle "Old Abe" in honor
of President Abraham Lincoln. The Eagle was sworn in as a member of
the regiment, and a Red, White and Blue ribbon was draped around its
neck.
When Company "C" arrived in Chicago on the way to the front,
they marched down the streets of Chicago lead by the United States Flag,
"Old Abe," and the drummer boy.
Thousands of people turned out to welcome the boys marching off to
war. "Old Abe" seemed to enjoy every minute of it. A newspaper
reporter wrote that there was hardly a dry eye as the eagle marched
by. That same reporter wrote that "one irreverent spectator allowed
as how it was a buzzard and some of the regiment members fell out of
line and convinced him otherwise -- with a few well placed fists."
Old Abe's dazzling military history began when the 8th Wisconsin went
into battle near Frederickstown, Missouri. The commanding officer ordered
Old Abe be tethered on the roof of the Court House, about 1/2 mile from
the fighting.
Instead of cowering in fear, Old Abe went wild with what most members
thought was excitement. He leaped up and down madly, uttering blood
curdling screams. It was not long before his company, in the midst of
battle, heard the shrill screams of the big Eagle who had broken free
of his tether and came swooping down with his tether line flowing behind
him. He had sawed through the tether with his sharp beak.
After the war, a member of the Wisconsin Volunteers wrote that Old
Abe seemed to understand the meaning of the bugle calls. When the bugler
blew the call to advance, Old Abe would fly ahead of his unit and return
to offer encouragement to the men. It wasn't long until Old Abe's fame
spread -- both Generals Grant and Sheridan visited the unit to see the
Eagle.
There was a fierce competition in the regiment for the honor of being
Old Abe's bearer. Not a single bearer was ever killed or wounded while
acting as Old Abe's bearer. A letter written by someone in the 8th Wisconsin
told about a member of their unit who had won the right to be the next
day's bearer, but sold away his right for a large sum of money. Sure
enough, the next day one who sold the rights was killed and the bearer
never got a scratch.
There are many stories about Old Abe and his combat days. No doubt
some of them were fictitious or embellished, but there were enough proven
to be true that many people of the time believed that Old Abe was near
human, and lived a charmed life.
My favorite story about Old Abe was told by General Grant at the National
Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in Milwaukee in 1880.
Old Abe shared the podium that day with General Grant (President Grant).
The General told this story about Old Abe:
The Union forces were under attack by General Sterling Price and
his Confederate troops at Corneth, Mississippi. Gen. Price issued
orders that every Confederate soldier should make every possible effort
to either capture or "bring down" that damnable Eagle.
Minutes after the battle started a "minnie" ball cut the
tether cord on Old Abe's perch - he flew directly toward the Confederate
lines through the smoke and bullets of the battle. Old Abe then turned
and climbed out of reach of the Confederate rifles and circled above
them.
Nearly every Confederate rifle turned upwards toward the circling
Eagle and the Union soldiers were able to overrun the Confederates
and win the battle. When the battle was over and the Confederates
were captured, Old Abe came plummeting straight down and landed on
the perch of his bearer.
Old Abe participated in 42 battles and skirmishes during the Civil
War. Every member of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment and every Confederate
in a battle with them gained an equal respect for Old Abe as a brave
and courageous fighter in the Civil War.
At the end of the Civil War and three years of service with the Wisconsin
Volunteers, Old Abe was given to the Wisconsin Legislature who placed
him in a large cage. Old Abe traveled to hundreds of parades - thousands
of Wisconsin citizens were able to visit him. In every parade Old Abe
was up front along with the American Flag and his bearer. Many reporters
wrote that Old Abe must have enjoyed every minute of it because he would
bow his head to the crowd.
On September 16, 1864, a special room was built for Old Abe in the
State Capitol basement in Madison, Wisconsin, where a caretaker was
employed to care and feed him. On March 28, 1881, Old Abe passed away.
His body was stuffed and displayed at the Capitol. Unfortunately there
was a subsequent fire at the State Capitol and Old Abe was consumed
by the fire.
The citizens of Wisconsin built a Memorial at Jim Falls, Wisconsin,
on the banks of the Chippewa River.
If you ever visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota,
or visit the Memorial at Jim Falls, Wisconsin, be sure to pay your respects
to "Old Abe."
"Old Abe" Memorial at Jim Falls, Wisconsin
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3) Humor for Today:
The priest was instructing a class of third-graders at All Saints grammar
school. "There were two brothers, and one of them chose the wicked
path of Satan. The brother was evil and corrupt and did great damage
to many people, and wound up a convicted criminal.
"But the other brother studied hard and became a successful, knowledgeable
lawyer. "Now, children, what is the difference between these two
brothers, who both started out in the same place?"
Little Johnny raised his hand and said, "Easy. One of them got
caught."
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4) Don't Let Food in your Freezer go to Waste:
 We've
all done it - we dig in our freezer and find the mystery package of
food. "What the devil is this?"
Here is a simple solution - grab a permanent marker and lable each
freezer bag. Besides including what is in the bag, go ahead and date
the container.
If you'd like to find out more information about freezer safety, feel
free to visit the USDA site: Click
Here or visit http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/freezing.htm.
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Winter Moonrise in the BWCA
Photography is more than capturing light on film, it is a progression
- an ever-evolving medium that aides us in communicating our feelings,
thoughts and desires. John & Jenny Gregor and Randy Hagar specialize
in nature, garden, and wild life photography. They create some of nature's
most beautiful wall hanging pictures and memories of nature's beautiful
moments.
Click on the Image for a Larger
View
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5) Rabbit Deterrent:
 Do
you have problems with rabbits in your garden? One tip often given is
to use plastic chicken wire to thwart those pesky critters. Unfortunately,
I just read an interesting note from someone who said that the bunnies
just chewed right through the plastic.
She likes to feed the birds and noticed that the rabbits will also
feed on the birdseed. She started dropping a little extra seed on the
ground and the rabbits have stayed away from the garden.
If that doesn't work, you can always go back to the metal chicken wire.
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6) Quotes for Today:
"Human beings know a lot of things, some of which are true, and
apply them. When we like the results, we call them wisdom."
-- Herbert A. Simon
"A good listener is usually thinking about something else."
-- Kin Hubbard
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7) Mayo Alternative:
If you're like me, you hate a dry sandwich. We automatically reach
for the mayo. Unfortunately a tablespoon of mayonnaise can often contain
more than 10 grams of fat.
How about an alternative? Try adding a slice of tomato, cucumber, lettuce
or green pepper. These are much healthier and will add moisture to that
dry sandwich.
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8) Leftover Paint:
 When
a paint job is done we are almost always left with paint. Of course
we don't want to throw out perfectly good paint - we might need it for
a touch-up or another job someday.
That leftover paint can last for years if stored properly. Clean the
rim and make sure it is sealed tightly, then store it upside down.
Well, when we get around to cleaning the basement, sure enough we find
those cans that have been there for years. Now what do we do? As I understand
it, leftover paint is almost always usable - you might want to consider
giving it to a school or charitable organization.
The last resort is disposal. You want to be sure to do it responsibly.
In almost all states latex paint is considered non- hazardous - thus
you can dispose of it in the trash AFTER it has been dried. Pour the
old latex paint into a bag or box and add some sawdust or even cat litter
to quicken the drying.
Found a great site if you are looking for more information. It is the
Paint & Coatings Industry Information
Center or Click Here.
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9) Subscribe/Unsubscribe
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Rex Gregor, Editor
GreenThumb@rexseedco.com
Tom Krueger, Publisher
gtt@goalsmint.com
Please feel free to forward The
Green Thumb Times to a friend.
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