Stubby the dog (left) became a highly decorated
member of the Connecticut National Guard’s 102nd
Infantry Regiment in World War I. A monument for
the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment (below)
pays tribute to Sallie the brindle bull terrier. (below
left) Army Pfc. Norman Diamond congratulates
Staff Sgt. Basic, left, and Pfc. Adler, right, on their
promotions. (previous page) Old Abe lived at the
Wisconsin Capitol from 1864 until his death in 1881.
U.S. that so many The 3rd Tennessee Regiment had
citizen soldiers a gamecock named Jake who provid-
went off to war for ed much entertainment as a talented
an extended period fi ghter. Aside from fi ghting chal-
of time. Mascots lengers from rival companies, Jake
provided a diversion reportedly would shriek at incoming
from monotony and shells. When his unit was captured,
comfort from the he went off to prison with his men.
horrors of war. They Jake survived and returned home
were held in such with his unit after the war.
high regard that, if Larger animals accompanied other
killed, they often units. A brigade from Minnesota had
were given burials a bear that survived a reported 12
with full military engagements. A federal unit listed
honors — a practice among its Confederate captives “34
that has continued. prisoners … and one large bear.”
Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who stood by The most famous Civil War But dogs were the most popular
his unit at the Battle of Bunker Hill. mascot probably was Old Abe, an mascots. As they had for centuries,
Welsh goats have grown to become eagle with the Wisconsin Infantry servicemembers brought their dogs
some of the best-known mascots of Volunteers. “Eagle bearers” would to war with them. Then-Army Capt.
the British Army. carry Old Abe into battle tethered George Armstrong Custer often
to a long pole. As the story goes, Old had his dog by his side. And Sallie, a
The Civil War Abe screamed and fl apped about in brindle bull terrier, stuck close by the
An explosion of mascots on the bat- the heat of combat and still survived 11th Pennsylvania Infantry in battle.
tlefi eld in the U.S. came during the 36 battles. That might be why Con- She was wounded and later killed.
Civil War. This was the fi rst time federates reportedly called Old Abe This faithful friend was so beloved
in the relatively brief history of the “that Yankee Buzzard.” by her unit that a likeness of her now
PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, COURTESY COL JOHN D. RAPHAEL, A P R I L 2 0 0 9 M I L I T A R Y O F F I C E R 6 1
USA-RET.; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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