Sallie Ann Jarrett facts for kids

Sallie Ann Jarrett was a brave dog who became the official mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, a group of soldiers fighting in the American Civil War. She stayed with them through almost the entire war, showing incredible loyalty and courage, until she was sadly killed in action in February 1865. The soldiers called her "Sallie." She was born in the spring of 1861 and was described as a strong, well-bred dog, likely similar to today's American Staffordshire Terrier. Sallie was given to Captain William R. Terry in May 1861 when the regiment was training in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The soldiers named her in honor of a young lady they admired and their first commanding officer, Colonel Phaon Jarrett.

Sallie Ann Jarrett, the loyal Civil War mascot.

Sallie's Army Life

Sallie quickly got used to life with the army. She joined the soldiers during their training drills and always stood proudly with the color guard (the soldiers who carry the flags) during parades. Whenever the regiment left their camp, Sallie would march right at the front, next to the horse ridden by Colonel Coulter, the regiment's leader. Other army groups soon knew her as "Dick Coulter's dog." Sallie even marched with her regiment twice in front of President Abraham Lincoln!

An American Staffordshire Terrier, similar to Sallie's likely breed.

A Brave Companion in Battle

Sallie learned to handle the tough parts of army life, just like the soldiers. She was not afraid of battles and would go with her regiment into the fighting. She would even take a spot on the front lines, barking loudly at the enemy! Sallie was present in many major battles, including Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Petersburg.

While with the regiment, Sallie also had five litters of puppies.

The Battle of Gettysburg

On July 1, 1863, during the first day of fighting at the Battle of Gettysburg, Sallie got separated from her regiment. The Union soldiers had to retreat, and everyone feared she had been killed. But Sallie had stayed behind on Oak Ridge, where the 11th Pennsylvania had fought. Days later, she was found there, still bravely guarding her wounded and fallen soldier friends. Sallie was returned to her regiment and continued to serve until just a few weeks before the war ended.

Injury and Recovery

During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Sallie was hit in the neck by a bullet. The army surgeon treated her, but the bullet could not be removed right away. Amazingly, Sallie survived, and eventually, the bullet worked its way out on its own!

Sallie's Final Moments

On February 6, 1865, during a Union advance at Hatcher's Run in Virginia, Sallie was hit by a bullet and killed. Even though they were under heavy enemy fire, several soldiers bravely stopped fighting to bury her right there on the spot. This shows how much they loved and respected her.

A Lasting Memorial

In 1890, when the veterans of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry built their monument on the Gettysburg Battlefield, they made sure Sallie was honored. They included a life-size bronze statue of her on a granite stand, placed proudly at the front of the monument. Her statue lies below a tall bronze figure of a soldier, reminding everyone of the brave men she fought beside and protected on the fields of Gettysburg.

The 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Monument at Gettysburg National Military Park, featuring Sallie's statue.

See also

• Smith, Helene, "Sallie Civil War Dog," MacDonald & Sward Publishing Co., Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 1996.
• Locke, William Henry, "The Story of the Regiment," J.B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1868.
• Only known image of Sallie courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives:http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage.php?imgId=1-2-832