- Joined
- Aug 8, 2011
- Location
- Gettysburg area
The term “dogs of war” is a well-known figure of speech. But how about a war dog that was literally only a figure? In Frederick, Maryland, is “Guess”—a life-size greyhound statue—that nearly went to war for the Confederates.
Guess, from Pinterest
For some years before the Civil War, Guess guarded the front door at the home of Frederick ophthalmologist Dr. John Tyler. Dr. Tyler, who died in 1841, was long gone by the time Confederate troops passed through the city, but Guess had remained there on his late master’s porch. The soldiers confiscated the statue, planning to melt it down to make bullets or cannonballs. But their heavy loot soon became burdensome, and they abandoned the statue at Antietam. Guess was eventually returned to Frederick, where you can still see him at the door of 108 W. Church Street today.
Google image of 108 W. Church St., Frederick, Maryland
Another notable iron dog in nearby Gettysburg was nearly identical to Guess. That dog lay at the grave site of Gettysburg’s founder, James Gettys, in the town’s Evergreen Cemetery. Two privately-owned historical photographs of the cemetery that appear in the book "Beyond the Gatehouse," by cemetery caretaker Brian Kennell, show the white figure to have been the approximate size and lying in the same pose as Guess. Unfortunately, Gettys’s dog was stolen in 1974 and has never been recovered. I hope that perhaps the burden of conscience may one day lead to that dog’s return.
Guess, from Pinterest
For some years before the Civil War, Guess guarded the front door at the home of Frederick ophthalmologist Dr. John Tyler. Dr. Tyler, who died in 1841, was long gone by the time Confederate troops passed through the city, but Guess had remained there on his late master’s porch. The soldiers confiscated the statue, planning to melt it down to make bullets or cannonballs. But their heavy loot soon became burdensome, and they abandoned the statue at Antietam. Guess was eventually returned to Frederick, where you can still see him at the door of 108 W. Church Street today.
Google image of 108 W. Church St., Frederick, Maryland
Another notable iron dog in nearby Gettysburg was nearly identical to Guess. That dog lay at the grave site of Gettysburg’s founder, James Gettys, in the town’s Evergreen Cemetery. Two privately-owned historical photographs of the cemetery that appear in the book "Beyond the Gatehouse," by cemetery caretaker Brian Kennell, show the white figure to have been the approximate size and lying in the same pose as Guess. Unfortunately, Gettys’s dog was stolen in 1974 and has never been recovered. I hope that perhaps the burden of conscience may one day lead to that dog’s return.