The Schroeder Books
Loyal
Hearts: Histories of American Civil
War Canines
by Michael Zucchero.
Published by SCHROEDER PUBLICATIONS 2009
Soldiers
during the American Civil War adopted many exotic mascots.
They ranged from alligators to badgers and bear cubs to wildcats, but
none were as common, loyal and affectionate as dogs.
The total number of canine mascots from the period is not known, but a
few attained minor celebrity status and were memorialized on reunion buttons and
monuments. In this book, Mike
Zucchero tells the famous stories of “Dog Jack,” “Harvey,” and
“Sallie,” as well as those of lesser known four-legged friends.
For
every documented dog in the field, there were dozens that only lived on in the
memories of the soldiers. Yet dogs
were active in their military lives: sharing men’s trials and tribulations,
offering their affection and providing entertainment to soldiers that faced hour
upon hour of military boredom or possible death in an instant.
Unfortunately, many of these mascots likewise became casualties.
The appeal of a dog mascot seems to have overwhelmed some soldiers so
much that they took to dognapping. Confederate
General Hays’ men of the Louisiana Brigade abducted the tiny mascot
“Stonewall” from the Richmond Howitzers several times.
At
Sailor’s Creek, after fighting around the Lockett Farm and across the Double
Bridges, troops of Federal General Andrew Humphreys’ Second Corps captured a
large portion of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s wagon train and
found a litter of puppies among the wagons.
One of the most famous photographs of the Civil War, taken by Timothy
O’Sullivan at Appomattox (see page 142), shows Federal soldiers in
front of the Appomattox Courthouse building.
Upon enlargement, the photograph reveals two soldiers have small dog
mascots in their arms, though one blurred as a result of movement during the
long exposure. Although there is no
known written documentation of these canines, the photograph indicates 60 men of
the Provost Guard duty had at least two dogs.
The
102nd Pennsylvania Infantry’s multiple dog mascots included
“Jack” and “York.” Early on
in the war, as the regiment advanced in line of battle, York patrolled the left
flank with Company B while Jack advanced with the right flank.
York died from the rigors of campaign life leaving Jack the regimental
favorite. As a sign of their high
regard for their beloved mascot, the men clubbed together and bought Jack a $75
silver collar at a time when a soldiers’ pay was $13 a month.
Jack was captured with some of the regiment at the battle of Salem
Church, Virginia, on May 3, 1863, and held with them as a prisoner of war at
Belle Isle, Virginia, until he was exchanged for a Confederate soldier.
Jack disappeared near Frederick City, Maryland, on December 23, 1864, and
the men speculated that Jack was killed by robbers for his silver collar.
Interestingly enough, there was a second dog named “Jack” of another
regiment, the 56th New York Infantry that also received a special
collar purchased by the men. This Jack fared better despite being wounded at the battle of
Fair Oaks, and survived all the regiment’s battles and returned home to die of
old age. A third dog named
“Jack” or “Union Jack” served with the 1st Maryland Infantry
(U. S.).
Federal
Civil War photographs of soldiers are far more numerous than photos of
Confederates. The same is true for dog mascot images—the lone Confederate
dog photo being of “Tinker” who served on the crew of a blockade runner.
As far as stories, there is more parity that includes “Frank” of the
Orphan Brigade’s 2nd Kentucky Infantry (C. S.) that carried his own
rations in a haversack specially made for him.
The last known dog fatality on the battlefield was “Charlie” of the
Georgia Troup Artillery killed in action at the Battle of Cumberland Church,
April 7, 1865, only two days before General Lee’s surrender.
Zucchero uses his impressive collection of photos and extensive research create 19 chapters that present the reader with the most extensive work to date on Civil War canines. This fully indexed volume is a valuable resource, an entertaining read and provides afitting tribute to army dogs of the Civil War. It is sure to please Civil War enthusiast and dog lovers alike.
Hardcover with dust jacket, 184 pages, index, more than 57 photos and illustrations. Price $25.00 ISBN 1-889246-57-3.
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Loyal Hearts: History of American Civil War Canines By Michael Zucchero
As Seen in the Civil War Historian Nov./Dec.2008 Vol. 4, Issue 6
$25.00
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BOOK REVIEWS
The Courier: The Official Publication of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc., May/June 2009
***Click here to see PDF file of The Courier Loyal Hearts Review***
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Loyal Hearts, Histories of American Civil War Canines by Michael Zucchero
(November 2009 Civil War News)
Illustrated,
appendix, bibliography, index, 184 pp., 2009. Schroeder Publications, 131
Tanglewood Dr., Lynchburg, VA 24502, $25 plus shipping, www.civiwar-books.com.
One thing I remember vividly from my stint in Vietnam was that every shop on my base had a pet dog. Our shop actually had two. “Lilan,” was a little bit of a thing not more than 10 inches tall, but being a female was fearless and feisty. That little thing would take on dogs ten times her size.
Then we had “Stupid,” and the name fit the dog perfectly. Another fearless canine, he would also take on any and all comers often returning to the shop bitten and bleeding.
Thus it was with great interest that I picked up Michael Zucchero’s new book Loyal Hearts about the canine mascots that accompanied many regiments during the Civil War. The book tells the tails (OK, tales) of 21 dogs that were attached to regiments during the war.
Having done research for a similar type book myself I know how hard it is to find information on the non-human elements of a regiment so Zucchero is to be commended for finding as much information as he did.
The stories provide the unit, the name of the dog and the service of the mutt. Where he could find it Zucchero also provided the fate of the dog. Some lived through the war and into old age while others died during battle. Some of the dogs were “captured,” others simply disappeared.
Of course covered is Sallie, the dog of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, perhaps the most famous of regimental mascots who was killed at Hatcher’s Run in 1865 and buried by her comrades while still under fire. The regimental monument at Gettysburg even celebrates Sallie with a life-sized bronze statue of the dog on it.
The volume is filled with images of dogs and soldiers with their dogs. The reproduction of these photographs is excellent. The story is well told and I only found a couple of typos, so the editing was well done.
My only complaint about this book is that the dog story is often lost in the retelling of the exploits of the particular regiment being discussed, though I understand why the author did this. If he had just told the dog story with no background the book would be only about 30 pages long.
If you like dogs you will like Loyal Hearts. I suggest you pick it up as you will get a good read.
Blake A. Magner
Blake A. Magner is the Book Review Editor of Civil War News. He makes his living as an editor, writer, cartographer and photographer of Civil War history. He is author of Traveller & Company: The Horses at Gettysburg.
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