 On August 13, 1864, the day after Mower had been promoted to Major General, the regiment, including the returned troops, participated in another defeat of Forrest's command at Hurricane Creek, Mississippi This was Old Abe's last battle.September 16, 1864, marked the end of the three years for which original members of the 8th Wisconsin had enlisted.Consequently, the veterans headed north with the eagle, whom the regiment had agreed to give to the state of Wisconsin.