Old Abe War Eagle Trail and Monument

The Old Abe Monument is located on the southeast corner of the courthouse. The trail starts at the Madison County Courthouse and follows the 36 Civil War battles of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry (1861-1864) through four states.The Eighth Wisconsin was known as the “Eagle Regiment,” because a live eagle, named “Old Abe,” was carried with the troops through all of the regiment’s Civil War campaigns.