2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 88
November 9, 2023 - Introduced by Senator JACQUE. Referred to Committee on
Senate Organization.
1 Relating to: honoring the legacy of Old Abe, Wisconsin's Civil War eagle.
2 Whereas, Old Abe became an iconic symbol of the Civil War as he fought
3 alongside the soldiers of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment; and
4 Whereas, in the hopes of making him a cherished mascot for the regiment,
5 Lieutenant James McGuire purchased Old Abe for $2.50 from Captain John E.
6 Perkins; and
7 Whereas, during his three-year enlistment, Old Abe fearlessly participated in
8 over 30 battles throughout the war, including the Battle of Vicksburg, the Siege of
9 Vicksburg, and the Battle of Jackson; and
10 Whereas, Old Abe served as a trusted guardian for his fellow soldiers, using his
11 keen sense of danger to more than once alert the regiment of potential Confederate
12 ambushes; and
13 Whereas, Old Abe's fierce reputation earned him the nickname “Yankee
14 Buzzard” among Confederate soldiers, who despised him to such an extent that
15 bounties were placed on his life; and
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1 Whereas, on March 26, 1881, Old Abe passed away after almost 20 years of life,
2 leaving behind a profound legacy of courage, boldness, and ferocity that was written
3 about in history books and inspired future generations of Americans, including
4 President Theodore Roosevelt; and
5 Whereas, Old Abe is memorialized in a magnificent six foot tall statue soaring
6 atop a 47.5 foot granite column in Vicksburg, Mississippi, reminding all of his
7 enduring significance and devotion to duty; and
8 Whereas, Old Abe's legacy extends to additional wars, as he was further
9 memorialized on the shoulder patch of the illustrious 101st Airborne Division in
10 World Wars I and II; now, therefore, be it
11 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin
12 Legislature recognizes and commemorates Old Abe, Wisconsin's Civil War eagle, for
13 his invaluable service to the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment and his
14 lasting legacy as a symbol of valor, patriotism, and vigilance.
15 (END)