Visitors to the park commemorating one of the most important battles of the Civil War often stop in front of a statue of a dog. The monument pays homage to Sallie, a faithful companion of the Unionist army’s infantry a century and a half ago.
Sallie is one of those dogs who left their mark in history, especially military history, and to whom we still pay tribute today, long after their existence.
Sallie Ann Jarrett by her full name, this female Amercian Staffordshire Terrier was extremely loyal, as The Dodo recounts. A bronze statue of him sits at the foot of that of a Union soldier in Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. It commemorates the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from 1 to 3 July 1863. Battle considered decisive during the Civil War.
Wikimedia Commons / RFM57
When they pass in front of the monument, visitors leave all kinds of objects to honor this bitch: treats, chewing bones, toys, coins… So many expressions of sympathy and gratitude for this animal that had never left His companions.
memorial to Sallie Ann Jarrett, the dog mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War pic.twitter.com/9McHP0DSAv
– Drew (@ drewpiers0n) December 1, 2020
These were the soldiers of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. She was the mascot of the unit, which had adopted her when she was still a little puppy. Sallie had followed and accompanied her to the front lines during the famous battle.
During the fighting, the soldiers lost sight of her and were very worried; they even thought she was dead. Then, at the end of the confrontation and when they were about to bury their dead comrades, they found her with them. She watched over their bodies. “ She hadn’t left the battlefield. She stayed with these men, ”says Christopher Gwinn . The survivors never forgot this moment.
Sadly, Sallie was killed a year and a half later, in the Battle of Hatcher’s Run in February 1865. Despite heavy Confederate fire, Unionist soldiers insisted on burying him with honors.
Read also: The funny and moving video of a dog realizing that his master does not fill his bowl and puts him on a diet
Wikipedia / Carptrash
“ She is not famous for biting a Confederate soldier or for an act of violence. She is for being a staunch friend who, even in the midst of tragedy and death, had never abandoned those who cared for her and those she cared for, ”concludes Mr. Gwinn .
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