11th PVI Co K

The 11^th PVI Company K is dedicated to preserving the memory of those who fought in the War Between the States.  Not only the members of the original 11^th's memory, but ALL veterans.

In November of 1997, we presented the National Park Service with a check for the permanent care of the 11^th PVI monument.  We raised the funds through the sale of replica statues of Sallie.

Sitting atop peaceful Oak Ridge, near the Eternal Peace Light, the 11^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (PVI) Monument occupies the same ground the unit defended on July 1, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg.  The granite base includes two fine bronze statues: crowning the top is an ever vigilant soldier preparing to fire and near the bottom of the base is a small dog curled up as if about to sleep.

If you are interested in purchasing a Sallie Statue or to make a contribution to the project, please contact:
The 11^th PVI Preservation Foundation
C/O Mrs. Joyce Dowler
112 Sugarbush Drive
Latrobe, PA 15650

jdd1863@hotmail.com or Robert Dowler rjdowler@11thpvi.org

In 1861 during the first month of training, the 11^th PA Volunteer Infantry Regiment had a stranger from town bring the Captain a puppy.  Barely four to five weeks old and presented it to the regiment.  She was a pug-nosed brindle bull terrier and she quickly won the admiration of all the men in the Unit.  The men named her after one of the local beauties in West Chester, PA where they were currently training at.  Sallie Ann Jarrett.

Within a few weeks, Sallie could count on the hundreds of men to play with her, give her scraps of food, and petting. She quickly developed a personality of her own.  She was even-tempered and very affectionate towards all of the men in the 11^th Regiment.  There was three things though that Sallie really disliked: Rebels, Democrats, and women.

Sallie quickly learned the sound of Reveille and was always the first in line for roll call.  During drills, she would pick a particular soldier and prance alongside him.  At dress parade, she would station herself right alongside the colors.  Sallie would frequently sleep by the Captain's tent after strolling through the camp on an inspection.

Her first battle was at Cedar Mountain, 1862.  Remaining with the colors throughout the entire engagement.  She did the same at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.  She was the Regiment's spirit, inspiration, and none of the men would even think about putting her to the rear during combat.  Sallie would run back and forth, along the front line, barking as loud as she could at the enemy.

During a review of the Union army in 1863, Sallie marched alongside the 11^th PA.  In the center of the reviewing stand, a tall man saw the dog.  He raised his stovepipe hat, with a twinkle in his eye, saluting.  Abraham Lincoln also gave a special acknowledgment to the mascot.

The 11^th PA was driven back from Oak Ridge and into town during the first day's fight at Gettysburg.  Sallie became lost during the chaos and three days later she was found at the original position of her regiment when fighting broke out by a member of the 12^th Mass.

At Spotsylvania, the following May, Sallie received a neck wound during the battle.  The 11^th PA made a concerted attack upon the rebel lines at Hatcher's Run on Feb. , 1865.  Right at the end of the first line of attack stood Sallie, as always.  Sadly, Sallie had been shot and killed.  Under horrendous fire, the weeping men buried her where she lay on the battlefield.

The surviving members of the 11^th Pennsylvania dedicated a monument on Oak Ridge, Gettysburg Battlefield, in 1890.  Looking out over the fields in the direction from which the rebels came, stands a vigilant bronze soldier atop a marble pedestal.
Unless you get out and walk around the front of the monument, there is something else you may not see.  At the base of the statue is a bronze figure of a little dog.  Keeping watch through eternity over the spirits of her men is Sallie.  The surviving members insisted that their loyal and loving girl also be remembered for all times.

To find out more about this loving, faithful dog, and her life, please purchase from the order form:

A Colonel, A flag, and a Dog
By: Cindy Stouffer
84 page, soft cover