I remember a story about Isaac Davis, who volunteered to lead and was the first man to die at the Battle of Old North Bridge on April 19, 1775. The story I remember hearing was that the morning he was awoken by the call of a rider he noticed an owl perched on his musket.
It was explained to me that the owl was on omen of death. This may be nothing, but it's interesting seeing that symbol on the object that would go on to define American military impetus.