By far, the biggest number of mascots in either Army during the war were dogs. Lots and lots of dogs. Hey, dogs don't require much in the way of care and are loyal, somewhat obedient, except around food.
They accompanied their men on the march and usually stayed in camp during fighting, though some went right out on the battlefield and were in the thick of the action.
One famous dog was Sallie of the 11th Pennsylvania, who had four litters of puppies during the war. She was in the thick of fighting until killed by a bullet on February 6, 1865, at the Battle of Hatcher's Run.
She was an American Staffordshire Terrier and adopted quickly to the military life, joining her soldiers at drill and at least twice in front of President Lincoln. On the first day of Gettysburg, she became separated from her soldiers during the retreat to Cemetery Hill and she was feared killed, but was found days later still guarding her wounded and dead companions.
A statue of her graces the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment's memorial at the Battle of Gettysburg.
--Old PettheDog
