During the Civil War, many regiments had mascots to lift their spirits and provide a sense of companionship during the difficult and often terrifying days of battle. One such mascot was Sallie, a Staffordshire Terrier who became the beloved pet of the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Sallie was a constant companion to the soldiers of the 11th, and her loyalty and bravery earned her a place in the hearts of many. Her story has been told and retold by soldiers, authors, and historians over the years, cementing her place in Civil War lore. On February 6, 1865, during the Union advance at Hatcher’s Run, Virginia, Sallie was struck by a bullet and killed. Despite being under heavy fire, several soldiers put aside their arms to bury her on the spot.

The story of Sallie begins in 1861, when she was acquired by the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment as a puppy. According to historian Richard A. Sauers, Sallie was “the runt of the litter, but full of spunk and energy.” The soldiers of the regiment quickly took a liking to the feisty little dog, and she was soon adopted as their official mascot.  Sallie quickly proved herself to be a brave and loyal companion. She accompanied the soldiers on marches and battles, and would often be seen running back and forth along the line of troops, barking and wagging her tail. She was also known to provide comfort to wounded soldiers, licking their faces and nuzzling them with her head.

The soldiers of the 11th Pennsylvania grew to love Sallie, and she became a symbol of their regiment’s courage and resilience. One soldier wrote in his diary, “Sallie is loved by all the boys, and every man in the regiment would lay down his life for her.” Another soldier described Sallie as “a great favorite with the boys, and always foremost in the fight.”  Sallie’s bravery and loyalty were put to the test during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. During the first day of the battle, the 11th Pennsylvania found themselves facing a fierce Confederate assault. Sallie, who had been running back and forth along the line of troops, suddenly disappeared. The soldiers feared the worst, but were unable to search for her due to the intensity of the battle.

The next day, as the soldiers were preparing for another round of fighting, Sallie suddenly appeared on the field. She had somehow managed to escape capture by the Confederates and had made her way back to the regiment. The soldiers were overjoyed to see her, and her return lifted their spirits and boosted their morale.  Sallie’s bravery and loyalty at Gettysburg became the stuff of legend, and her story has been retold by soldiers, authors, and historians for over a century. In his book “Sallie: A Civil War Dog,” author Linda J. Scott writes, “Sallie’s escape and return was the talk of the regiment and spread quickly to other units. It was a small story that became larger as the war progressed.”

Historian Richard A. Sauers notes that Sallie’s story “serves to remind us of the humanity of soldiers in the midst of war.” He writes, “The soldiers of the 11th Pennsylvania found comfort and solace in the presence of a small dog. She became a symbol of hope and a reminder of home.”After the war, the soldiers of the 11th Pennsylvania returned home, and Sallie went with them. She became a beloved pet of the regiment’s survivors, and was often seen at reunions and other events. In 1897, a monument was erected to honor the soldiers of the 11th Pennsylvania at the Gettysburg battlefield. The monument includes a bronze statue of Sallie, sitting atop a cannon and looking out over the field where she had once fought alongside her beloved soldiers