Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

An incident.--As the fleet of transports was passing down the Chesapeake Bay to Hampton Roads, on that beautiful day in October when we first got under weigh at Annapolis, a large bald eagle came sweeping out from the shore of Maryland, and soaring high in air above the fleet, finally alighted on the masthead of the Atlantic, the Headquarters of the army. In an instant all eves were upon him, and conjectures were busy as to whether he were a loyal bird, come to give his blessing at parting, or a secession rooster, intent on spying out our strength. We gave the bird the benefit of the doubt; an officer peremptorily stayed the hand of a soldier who would have shot [36] him, and we accepted the omen as auguring the full success of our enterprise.--Leavenworth (Kansas) Times, Nov. 22.