Sallie Joins the Regiment

Sallie Ann Jarrett, or just Sallie to her friends, was one tough soldier, even though she was only two feet tall.

Sallie joined the Union's 11th Pennsylvania Infantry in May of 1861, while the men were training in Westchester, about two hours east of Gettysburg.

Now, some stories say that this little puppy wandered out onto the training field, while others say she was given as a gift to one of the soldiers.

But however, she got there, this scruffy mix of terrier and pit bull puppy was a natural-born soldier.

She was named Sallie Ann after the prettiest girl in Westchester, and Jarrett after the 11th Pennsylvania's commanding officer, Colonel Fion Jarrett.

A Soldier’s Best Friend

During training exercises, Sallie marched in line beside her men.

She attended the company's roll calls each morning, and twice she paraded with her regiment before President Abraham Lincoln. And legend has it, the president even tipped his hat to her.

By the time the 11th Pennsylvania arrived at Gettysburg, Sallie was already a seasoned soldier.

Her preferred battle tactic? Charging straight ahead, brazenly breaching the enemy lines, and barking with wild abandon.

Now, it's also possible that she befriended the enemy through head pets and belly rubs, but there's no documented evidence of that.

Missing in Battle

But sometime during the chaotic afternoon of July 1st, 1863, Sallie got separated from the boys of the 11th Pennsylvania.

Where did she go? Sadly, there wasn't time to dwell on it. The soldiers thought Sallie was most likely a casualty of war. But don't worry, the story has a happy ending.

Honoring Sallie's Legacy

Because after the battle, some of the men from the 11th Pennsylvania found Sallie. Turns out, she stayed here near Oak Ridge to protect some of her fallen brothers-in-arms.

And today, Sallie Ann Jarrett's contributions to her regiment are memorialized here at the Monument for the 11th Pennsylvania.

Feel free to give Sallie's head a pat. She would definitely approve.