Uncle Hollister and The War Eagle

 As I work on our family history, I love to poke around, gathering bits and pieces here and there, to put together little side stories involving our family members. This one is about the half brother of HeHimself's double great grandma. Double Great Uncle Hollister Phillips was born in New York and grew up in Wisconsin. 

When the Civil War began he enlisted in the Union Army in the Wisconsin 8th Infantry Regiment, known as The Eagle Regiment. They left home in January 1862, and returned at the end of October 1865. During those almost four years they marched over 4,000 miles, riding nearly 11,000 miles on trains and boats. Uncle Hollister rose through the ranks to become a 1st Lieutenant by the end of the war. He and The Eagle Regiment were very active and highly decorated for their service, culminating at the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. 

Before The Eagle Regiment left Wisconsin they captured a two month old bald eagle to serve as their mascot. His name was Old Abe. Old Abe did not stay safely in a cage behind the battle lines. He rode on his perch, proudly carried next to the Regimental Flag, into every skirmish and engagement. Amazingly, he survived all the fighting and travel, returning home to Wisconsin with Uncle Hollister and the Regiment, safe and sound. 

Old Abe was retired to live at the Capitol Building in Madison, finally dying in 1881. Even then he might have lived longer had there not been a fire in the Capitol. It is believed that poor Old Abe gave up the ghost because he breathed in too much smoke from the fire. Nonetheless, he had lived to a ripe old age for a bald eagle; the average life span is about twenty years. Uncle Hollister lived into old age as well, dying in 1922 at 83 years. I am so happy I was able to find pictures of them both during their years of service together