Pets and Mascots

[Remember1864]

In my recent research regarding "the march" I found an interesting bit in Samuel Carter III's "The Siege of Atlanta; 1864". (reference page 386/soft cover edition)
Seems as the bummers were fond of picking up cats, racoons, lambs, mules, et cetera and carrying them along. One note of interest, according to Carter, dogs found along the march route were shot outright more times than not. Union soldiers operated under the belief that these hounds were of no good as they had been used to chase down runaway slaves and escaped Federal prisoners. Just another tidbit to help us all out.

Cheers!

[Jimmayo]

Do a search on "civil war dogs". You will find an amazing story about Jack the pit bull who was a mascot of the 11th Pa. Inf.

[WoodenNutmeg]

Many dogs were considered mascots during the war. In fact, many a dog found their fate in the cross fire, catching bullet and shell whilst staying loyal and true to their owners even in the line of battle; some of these animals were buried and honored with great military tradition. There are some great written pieces out there pertaining to animals and their place in the war. I particularly enjoy the story of the eagle which was carried alongside the regimental flag of a certain mid-western regiment.

[GWHall]

Not 1864, and not Georgia, but:

Captain Werner von Bachelle of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry had a Newfoundland that went into battle with the regiment at Antietam. von Bachelle was killed near the furthest advance of the 6th. When the regiment retreated, the dog stayed with the body of his master. After the battle, when there was a chance to bury the dead, von Bachelle's dog was found dead lying with his deceased owner.

In the words of Rufus Dawes:

Our line of men left the body when they reatreated, but the dog stayed with his dead master, and was found on the morning of the 19th of September lying dead upon his body. We buried him with his master. So far as we knew, no family or firends mourned for poor Bachelle, and it is probable that he was joined in death by his most devoted friend on earth.
-Service With the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, pg 93

[lukegilly13]

I don't know if you've seen this thread or not, http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16584 however, Ryan Burns posted a GREAT photo of the 13th New York Heavy Artillery regiment in camp at Petersburg and they have a mascot!

[Coatsy]

With the reading and research on the March to Savannah, I found that most of the dogs shot out right were the blood hounds. Many other dogs, especially mutts were picked up by the Uncle Billy's boys.

My favorite "mascot" story is a group of foragers coming on a poor dirt farm in middle Georgia and finding two little girls there, hungry and dirty. The soldiers took them in and they were the "pets" of the company all the way to Savannah. This story has stuck with me since I was younger and read the accounts in the Time Life Civil War volume dealing with Sherman's march.

Read up everyone. What you come up on at Bummers comes from the books.

[brown]

Herb, are you suggesting we "borrow" small children in middle Georgia as mascots? Sounds like a legally poor suggestion, not to mention the heartache we'll cause those parents?
In all seriousness, the bloodhound issue sounds interesting. Anyone have other accounts justifying these extra-judicial killings of the criminal hunters?

[lukegilly13]

With the reading and research on the March to Savannah, I found that most of the dogs shot out right were the blood hounds. Many other dogs, especially mutts were picked up by the Uncle Billy's boys.

Any particular reason as to why they killed the bloodhounds? Large dog that needs too much food maybe?

[john duffer]

Bloodhounds would be the logical choice for tracking runaway slaves or escaped prisioners.

[LWhite64]

Well in that particular vacinity, not too far north from Andersonville, it was the stories they had heard about the bloodhounds being used to run them down.

Lee

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

The strangest Civil War military mascot story I ever came across was on a wartime US Naval ship.

This ship had a bear (I think a circus type bear) as a mascot. They eventually had to get rid of the bear. He got into some liquor and fell asleep in one of the sailor's berths. When that particular sailor came in to go to sleep he woke the bear, startling him and was mauled pretty badly in the process. So they got rid of the bear.

I kid you not,

Greg Starbuck

[55th VVI]

Sort of, but not related; the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry had a mascot, a sheep named Dick. Too many jokes can be made here. :)

[DougCooper]

Well in that particular vacinity, not too far north from Andersonville, it was the stories they had heard about the bloodhounds being used to run them down.

Lee

There was a general sense among Sherman's men that bloodhounds were only useful for tracking slaves and escaped prisoners, and they were generally shot or bayonetted when encountered. There are a number of accounts and even drawings of this happening.

Dang dogs make a lot of noise so they attracted attention from a distance.

[Andrew Kasmar]

Hi,


The strangest Civil War military mascot story I ever came across was on a wartime US Naval ship.

This ship had a bear (I think a circus type bear) as a mascot. They eventually had to get rid of the bear. He got into some liquor and fell asleep in one of the sailor's berths. When that particular sailor came in to go to sleep he woke the bear, startling him and was mauled pretty badly in the process. So they got rid of the bear.

I kid you not,

Greg Starbuck

Thanks for posting that. That is one of the strangest things that I have heard about the Civil War.

Andrew

[Coatsy]

Henry Hitchcock, one of Sherman's staff weenys (ALL... Read his memoirs! It is tops one the Bummer's Reading list.) stated that Sherman himself ordered the killing of bloodhounds that were used to track run away slaves. Outside of Milledgeville, Hitchcock mentioned that the slaves went wild with glee when Sherman told them this.

Also a Minnesota soldier named Pendergast mentioned that his officers ordered the men kill bloodhounds for the same reason. He states that this about the third or fourth day on the march.

I've been reading a few narratives (Burke Davis and the more recent Trudeau books) and they've mentioned this.

Hit the books folks!

Lindsey, I don't think will be borrowing too many dirt farming kids for mascots for the Federals. :p

[Mike Davis]

In Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Volume 4, Captain Dan Oakey of the 2nd Mass. reports that even as well into the march as North Carolina such "critters" were not uncommon.

"It was not uncommon to hear shots at the head of the column.....Sabres flashed from their scabbards, the men brought their guns to the "carry", and the battalion swung into line at the roadside; Cats,,fighting cocks, and frying pans passed to the rear..."

Earlier in his missive he described how local roosters "who showed no propensity for fighting soon made their way into frying pan and stew". Those who did fight well however "rode along under the gentle arm of an infantryman."

Not sure how well animal fighting may be received so close to Atlanta and Mr Vick however...:D

Regards,
Mike Davis

[Vicksburg Dave]

The Mississippi Marine Brigade had a black bear that traveled the Mississippi River with them, the 43rd Mississippi had a camel "Old Douglas" who died at the hands of a Union rifleman at Vicksburg, and a dog's skeleton was found aboard the Cairo gunboat. Abe the eagle of the 8th Wisconsin, in addition to inspiring men from other regiments, was very proficient at stealing live chickens from sutlers. I just want to know how many Michiganders and Wisconsinites tried wolverines and badgers before finding something a bit less grouchy. ;)

[MarkTK36thIL]

The 36th IL had a mix between a "mastiff and bulldog," which might be safe to assume it was a Bullmastiff. They picked up Jack at Pea Ridge but he drowned in an accident on board a transport going to Kentucky for Perryville.

Interesting thing to note about the BM is that they weren't formally recognized as a purebred until 1924, some 80 years after he was found. The BM has been documented in England as early as 1860, so I wonder whose Jack's owner was? I would love to see more documentation on this breed and its existance in the US if anyone has any.

[tomarch]

In a book about Sherman's March by Burke Davis there is a report of a soldier taking some lady's poodle to shoot. She cries "She's just a poodle, she's my baby!" and the soldier replies: "Yes madame, but there's no telling what it may grow into!"

[Chad Wrinn]

For the Confederate Mascots, The First Maryland Bttn. had a mascot of its own named Jack that fell victim to yankee gunfire at Culp's Hill July 2

[Gallinipper]

Hey, didn't they just locate "Jack's" bones and silver collar in an old box in a PA attic about 12 days ago? (Sorry.... couldn't resist.)

Rich Croxton

[Dog Jack]

More Confederate dogs:
Candy Co. B, 4th Texas Infantry- Separated from the regiment at Gaines Mill, June 27-28, 1862. Lost in the cornfield at Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862 (reported captured).
Charlie The Troup Artillery- Participated in 15 major engagements. Killed in action at Cumberland Church, near Farmville, Virginia, on April 7, 1865–two days before Lee’s surrender.
Frank Co. B, 2nd Kentucky Infantry (CS) - Captured at Fort Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862, and paroled on August 26, 1862. Wounded numerous times during service. Disappeared in the summer of 1864.
Pet dog (name unknown) of Company A, 5th Alabama- Killed in action at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. Believed to be the first Confederate causality at Gettysburg.
Sawbuck- 4th Louisiana Brigade- Special pet and mascot of the 4th Louisiana Brigade. Wounded in the foreleg–location and date unknown.
Sergeant 3rd Louisiana Infantry- Killed in action at Oak Hills on August 10, 1861.
Stonewall Jackson Richmond Howitzers- Believed stolen by Louisiana Creole troops late in the war.
Tinker Confederate Navy- Served with Capt. M. P. Usina while blockade running. Buried at sea (North Atlantic) in 1865, shortly after war’s end.

http://www.amazon.com/Loyal-Hearts-Histories-American-Canines/dp/1889246573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239666483&sr=1-1

Mike

[PogueMahone]

My dog out in the back yard is named Jack.

[Kiev Thomason]

The 36th IL had a mix between a "mastiff and bulldog," which might be safe to assume it was a Bullmastiff. They picked up Jack at Pea Ridge but he drowned in an accident on board a transport going to Kentucky for Perryville.

Interesting thing to note about the BM is that they weren't formally recognized as a purebred until 1924, some 80 years after he was found. The BM has been documented in England as early as 1860, so I wonder whose Jack's owner was? I would love to see more documentation on this breed and its existance in the US if anyone has any.
The bull mastiff and the boxer go back to the Romans .I have a book at home about them and it says that they were named BullBanters .They were used to attack and bleed cows . They thought that that made the meat better if they were killed that way rather than by sword or spear. There is also a few pics that I have seen over the years of yanks with boxers and Mastiffs in group photos.

[MarkTK36thIL]

IMHO, I don't think the true form of a Bullmastiff can trace it's lineage previous to the mid-1800s. The Old English Bulldog, now extinct, was used to mix the mastiff stock at something like a 60%(M)/40%(OEB) to produce the BM in the mid-1800s in England. This leads to the present day Bull Mastiff we all know.

I've seen references that the Boxer was a mix of Brabanter Bullenbeisser-(now extinct-and decendent of another ancient breed, the Alaunt) and an influx of English Bulldog in the mid-19th century. But the Boxer is not an ancient breed.

I think the Brabanter Bullenbeissers were probably a decendent of some of the other Mastiff/Molosser breeds and looked like a bulldog/mastiff cross, but just wasn't; and this transitioned into the Boxer breed. Now modern attempts have been made to recreate the Brabanter Bullenbeisser, with the Bantar Bulldogge.

What's the name of the book tho, I'm curious to see more about this. Thanks,

Mark
Dog Person

[Tom Dodson]

Just to give equal time to our feline friends, the garrison mascot, one Tom Cat, was the sole casualty in one of the ironclad attacks on Fort McAllister, Georgia. His demise was mentioned in the official battle report.
Tom Dodson

[Elaine Kessinger]

Shocking as it may seem, an advertisement in the civilian section would get you the loan of "GA Farm Urchins" for an event, even correctly dressed ones. ...and since you've mentioned them here, perhaps it would be wise to treat them as a specialty impression for that event....so you don't have some with every unit.

[Pvt Schnapps]

I originally posted this under "Camp Furniture" but it really belongs here:

From Life With the Thirty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry In the War of the Rebellion, W. S. Lincoln, Noyes, Snow & Company, Worcester, 1879, p. 262, describing the regiment as they marched up the Valley in 1864 under Sigel:

"Look at us now! All chairs and stools having been sent back, and tables, and other conveniences of camp life having vanished, we are seated upon the ground, and eating our dinners from dishes balanced on our knees. The Adjutant writes his orders upon a drum-head, on paper which his clerk carries in his coat pocket, and with pen and ink which he carries on his own person."

I've given a lot of consideration to using a drum-head as a desk, but I need to find someone to carry it for me...

Besides a lot of camp furniture, which stayed in Harper's Ferry, the 34th had an auxilary force, which is woefully under-represented in re-enacting:

"Among these dogs are a few brought from home when we came out; more which have been confiscated by the boys, at the different stations we have occupied; and not a few coaxed into following us on our different marches. Some howl at every bugle call; all bark in chorus when the drum corps makes its presence known by its unique performances. Many are regular in their attendance at all drills, and one of these sings second, whenever our Colonel’s voice is heard delivering his words of command. Some fall in regularly, and march in line for their rations; others, guerilla like, hang on the flanks, making stealthy approach to the cook-houses, and steal, and are off. Noble New-Foundlands, wiry terriers, mastiffs, hounds, pointers, bull dogs, poodles, and mongrels of all kinds and degrees. Our stock has increased miraculously of late, and what with the regular howlings and irregular fights, over which it seems as if the boys luxuriate, as over nothing else, interference came from Headquarters, at last, in the shape of an order. The fightings were made to cease, but the dogs remained – until to-day, when the boys have corralled all they could coax, and have turned them loose again, with tin decorations to their tails."

Unfortunately, while the furniture stayed in camp, the dogs accompanied the regiment on campaign, and were with them in the battle of New Market:

"A charge of the whole line was ordered. Our men sprang forward with a cheer. Our dogs, of whom we had a small army, ran frolicking and barking before us, as they had so often done, on drill. Receiving the fire of both lines, they were nearly all killed."

I know I've wandered off topic, but someday I'd like to see a monument raised to the dogs of the 34th Massachusetts.