Gettysburg Memorial

It was a brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier that served as the regimental mascot for the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. As a four-week-old puppy, she was given to a first lieutenant when the new regiment was training at the fairgrounds in West Chester, PA. Sallie grew up among the men of the regiment, following them on marches and into battle.

According to some sources, Sallie knew the drum roll announcing reveille and was first out of quarters to attend roll call. At dress parade, the dog took a position beside the regimental colors and during encampments, she slept by the captain’s tent after patrolling the area on an inspection of her own.

During her first battle, Sallie remained with the colors. This is said to have been her practice at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Sallie dog got separated from the unit. When the medical details moved onto the battleground, they found Sallie comforting her wounded friends and guarding the bodies of her dead compatriots.

During a spring 1863 review of the Union army, Sallie marched alongside the 11th Pennsylvania and was reportedly acknowledged with a raise of a stovepipe hat by President Abraham Lincoln.

Sallie continued her faithful service through February, 1865, when she was struck by a bullet in the battle of Hatcher’s Run, Virginia and was buried on the battlefield. For her devotion to the men, Sallie is memorialized at the 11th Pennsylvania monument at Gettysburg.