Old Abe, the live war eagle of Wisconsin, 1876. From the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress
New Madrid and *Island #10 - March & April 1862 Union General John Pope captures Point Pleasant, Missouri, and provokes Confederates to evacuate New Madrid. The Confederates abandon arms and provisions, valued at one million dollars, during their escape across the Mississippi River to the eastern bank and to Island No. 10.[2]
The 8th Wisconsin initially mustered 870 men and later recruited an additional 333 men, for a total of 1,203 men.[3]
The regiment lost 2 officers and 53 enlisted men killed in action or who later died of their wounds, plus another 2 officers and 219 enlisted men who died of disease, for a total of 280 fatalities.[4]
Commanders
ColonelRobert C. Murphy (July 11, 1861 – January 10, 1863) was dismissed after failing to properly safeguard supplies on two separate occasions.
Colonel George W. Robbins (December 20, 1862 – September 1, 1863) was previously lieutenant colonel of the regiment. He was wounded at the Second Battle of Corinth
Colonel John W. Jefferson (September 1, 1863 – October 11, 1864) was a grandson of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. He began the war as major of the regiment and was promoted to lieutenant colonel before becoming officially promoted to colonel on June 7, 1864. He was wounded twice and mustered out at the end of his three years of service.
Colonel William B. Britton (October 11, 1864 – September 5, 1865) began the war as captain of Co. G, and was then promoted to major and lieutenant colonel. He was officially promoted to colonel on March 8, 1865. Wounded at the Battle of Nashville, he mustered out with the regiment. After the war he served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
George Washington Glover Jr., the only son of Mary Baker Eddy, was a private in Co. I through nearly the entire war. He was wounded at Corinth.
Ezra T. Sprague was adjutant of the regiment for nearly three years. Prior to joining the 8th Wisconsin, he was enlisted in Co. K of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Afterward, he was colonel of the 42nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He received an honorary brevet to brigadier general and later served as a Wisconsin circuit judge.
Armitage, Ambrose, and Alden R. Carter. Brother to the Eagle: The Civil War Journal of Sgt. Ambrose Armitage, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. [Bangor, ME]: Booklocker.com, Inc, 2006. ISBN1-60145-042-7OCLC123916234
Barrett, J. O. History of "Old Abe," The Live War Eagle of the Eighth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. Chicago: O.L. Sewell, 1865. OCLC8593499
Driggs, George W. Opening of the Mississippi: Or Two Years' Campaigning in the South-West. A Record of the Campaigns, Sieges, Actions and Marches in Which the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers Have Participated. Madison, Wis: W.J. Park & Co., printers, 1864. OCLC1706997
Shumway, Francis, Ronald William Harris, and Rhonda Harris. Francis #3138: The Civil War Letters of Francis (Frank) Shumway, Company F, Eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, 1861–1862. La Crosse, WI : R.W. Harris, 1995. OCLC37682547
Williams, J. M. The Eagle Regiment, 8th Wis. Inf'ty. Vols. A Sketch of Its Marches, Battles and Campaigns, from 1861 to 1865 ; with a Complete Regimental and Company Roster, and a Few Portraits and Sketches of Its Officers and Commanders. Belleville, Wis: Recorder Print, 1890. OCLC38307788
