Battlefield Sallie - A Gettysburg National Military Park Story

[Transcript]

Sally Ann Jarrett, or just Sally to her friends, was one tough soldier, even though she was only two feet tall. Sally 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 Sally Ann after the prettiest girl in Westchester, and Jarrett after the 11th Pennsylvania's commanding officer, Colonel Fion Jarrett. During training exercises, Sally 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, Sally 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. But sometime during the chaotic afternoon of July 1st, 1863, Sally 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 Sally was most likely a casualty of war. But don't worry, the story has a happy ending. 

Because after the battle, some of the men from the 11th Pennsylvania found Sally. Turns out, she stayed here near Oak Ridge to protect some of her fallen brothers-in-arms. And today, Sally Ann Jarrett's contributions to her regiment are memorialized here at the Monument for the 11th Pennsylvania. 

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