Loyal Hearts: Histories of American Civil War Canines [Hardcover]

Michael Zucchero (Author), Patrick A. Schroeder (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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 a fitting tribute to army dogs of the Civil War. It is sure to please Civil War enthusiast and dog lovers alike. --Patrick A. Schroeder

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Schroeder Publications; 2nd edition (February 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889246573
• ISBN-13: 978-1889246574
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for any DOG lover!, March 8, 2009

By 

Alicia N. Higgins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loyal Hearts: Histories of American Civil War Canines (Hardcover)

This book is an amazingly written detailed account of dogs during the civil war. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a dog lover!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars War and Mans best friend, March 17, 2009

By 

Mister "Pundit" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loyal Hearts: Histories of American Civil War Canines (Hardcover)

This book provides a lot of undisclosed information that was very important to the way wars were contructed. These canines deserve more recognition for their valuent efforts and much needed duties in the Civil War.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dogs in the Civil War, January 26, 2010

By 

James W. Durney (Tampa Bay area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Loyal Hearts: Histories of American Civil War Canines (Hardcover)

Horses are famous. Many of us can name a general's horse without any problem at all. Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveler, rated a novel by Richard Adams with him as the main character. Monuments with mounted Generals are a feature of every battlefield. Horses figure in numerous photographs from the war and count as causalities in artillery batteries.

What about dogs?

Even if there are no K9 units during the war, soldiers must have had them as pets. Dogs are common, men like them, they like men. However, most Civil War histories say very little about dogs in camp, on the march or in battle. Stepping into the void while bring some light to the subject is this small well-written book. Nineteen stories, from four to twelve pages each, tell the story of one unit's dog during the war. Each story is fully footnoted to original source documents and books. Fifty-seven period photographs and illustrations add to the well-written stories.
You can read this book as a book or as a series of individual stories. People that read about the Civil War and people that read about dogs will enjoy it.