Old Abe, mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Regiment

Camp meetings

Camp #8 usually meets on the third Monday of odd numbered months at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the old Masonic Temple building of the Omro Historical Society. The traditional ritual is used, and there is usually a featured speaker. Auxiliary members also conduct their meeting at the same time and place.

In 2004, Camp 8 served Host Camp for the annual SUVCW and ASUVCW Department Encampment, held at the Wisconsin Veteran's Home at King, Wis.

About Old Abe

In 1885 the Old Abe Camp, located in Oshkosh, was the largest Sons of Union Veterans camp in Wisconsin. Old Abe was the famous mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry, which became known as the Eagle Brigade, a unit heavily involved in the campaigns of the western armies. Old Abe the battle eagle became a real war hero, used for recruiting during the war's later years, and attending veterans reunions for years after. His likeness was used to symbolize much in Wisconsin, and can be seen in period statuary throughout Wisconsin and the U.S., and on the J.I. Case (a Wisconsin company) emblem. Today Old Abe is still with us, seen on the badges of some contemporary military units.

Camp Newsletter

The current Camp Orders may be downloaded and printed from your computer. You'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view the documents unless otherwise indicated. If you don't have this program, it may be downloaded at no cost (click the Reader icon at right) and is easily installed on your computer.

July 2008 edition (1 mb) March 2008 edition (662 kb) January 2008 edition (733 kb) October 2007 edition (1 mb) September 2007 edition (1 mb) July 2007 edition (1 mb) May 2007 edition (962 kb) February 2007 edition (886 kb) January 2007 edition (732 kb) November 2006 edition (586 kb)

September 2006 edition (830 kb) July 2006 edition (1.7 mb) May 2006 edition (975 kb) March 2006 edition (1.1 mb) January 2006 edition (Word doc - 700 kb) Nov. 5, 2004 edition (385 kb) Sept. 10, 2004 edition (470 kb) July 9, 2004 edition (536 kb) May 6, 2004 edition (782 kb) March 6, 2004 edition (810 kb)

Camp Calendar
Days the flag should be flown

23-24 Aug:	Living History with members of Camp 8 and McAllister’s Battery at Pfiffner Pioneer Park, Stevens Point
24-28 Aug:	Stevens Point - We have been asked to do a recruiting re-enactment at the original recruiting spot in Stevens Point from May 1861. They need confirmation from us that we will do this as part of their 150th celebration. I have found some info on the first recruiting. I can duplicate a poster to fit the event just like I did for Waupaca last year. We can use the recruiting cards that were used in the Echoes of the Past trade show of Feb. It can be a great time to involve the kids and early teens of the city and get them interested in the Civil War.
11 Sept:	Patriot Day
14 Sept:	Sesquicentennial and grave dedication, Oakdale, WI (details TBA)
15 Sept:	Camp meeting, 7 p.m., Omro Historical Society
17 Sept:	Citizenship Day
19 Sept:	National POW/MIA Recognition Day
11 Nov:	Veteran's Day
15 Nov:	Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremonies, Gettysburg, PA
17 Nov:	Camp meeting, 7 p.m., Omro Historical Society

Recent activities

Headstone Dedication:Camp 8 had the pleasure to dedicate a new headstone for Joseph M. Petit, of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, Company M. Joseph is the ancestor to Old Abe Camp Commander, Alan Petit. The Petit family reunion was set for the day with many family members at the New London St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Commander Petit is at left.

Department Commander elected: at the Wisconsin Department Encampment on June 10, 2006, Camp 8's Brian Peters was elected to the post of Department Commander. DC Peters has served as the Department Junior Vice Commander, Department Senior Vice Commander, and Department Council member, and Department Graves Registration Officer in the past. He is also active in Camp #8’s structure, serving as the past Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, and is the current Camp 8 Secretary.

Open House at King: For the past few years, Camp #8 has been invited to be part of the celebration in the Wisconsin Veterans Home Open House, this year on May 21, 2006. The Camp display is seen on the right background. Members, Matt Arndt, on the left, and Brian Peters, Camp secretary, on the right, are standing by the cannon. The 3 inch ordnance rifled cannon belongs to Matt’s father, Ron Arndt, also a member of Camp #8. Many of the members in the Camp also belong to McAllister’s Battery, Company D, 1st Illinois Light Artillery.

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