Focus: the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry

One of the battlefield’s most popular regimental monuments, the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry’s memorial stands on Oak Ridge. This area has been cleared of trees relatively recently.

The “Bloody Eleventh” was recruited in Latrobe and mustered-in in April 1861. The regiment recieved its nickname at the July 21, 1861 battle of Falling Waters.

The 11th Pennsylvania was a “fighting” regiment — of the almost 1,900 men carried on its rolls throughout the course of the Civil War, 1,650 were lost. The regiment lost 12 officers and 224 men killed and mortally wounded during the War.

The 11th Pennsylvania’s monument is located along the National Park Service tour route, but visitors driving down the road will see only the back of the monument; it fronts to the west, towards where the 11th did its fighting. The real attraction of the monument is “Sallie.”

The regiment’s mascot, Sallie was a brindle-colored bull terrier. She joined the regiment in 1861 as a puppy and loyally served alongside her human comrades. At Gettysburg, Sallie was seperated from the 11th when the unit was forced to retreat underneath the relentless Confederate onslaught. She found her way back to the regiment’s position on Oak Ridge and remained there, guarding the regiment’s fallen. She was found days after the battle by members of a burial team. Weakened and dehydrated, she was returned to the regiment.

Sallie was wounded in battle on May 8, 1864. She was killed by a bullet at the battle of Hatcher’s Run on February 6, 1865. The men of the 11th buried her on the battlefield, despite a heavy enemy fire. And when it came time to honor their deeds at Gettysburg, they included a bronze likeness of their loyal friend.

Located on Doubleday Avenue, the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry monument also contains a six foot tall staute of an infantry soldier, a skirmisher preparing to fire his musket.

Members of the 1st Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Brigade

Commander: Col. Richard Coulter (1827-1908)

Engaged 292, 5 killed, 52 wounded, 60 missing

Monument Doubleday Avenue (Oak Ridge)

Tags: Gettysburg, I Corps, Monument Project, oak ridge, Pennsylvania