Quadraped Yanks

[Kevin Ellis]

From the Regimental History of The 16th North Carolina Infantry. April-May 1862. " He (McClellan) had extended his line from the James River a considerable distance up the Chickahominy. His organization was to every appearance complete. Balloons could be seen to ascend every day, spying out our peculiar location. The enemy was using in front of the Sixteenth some large New Foundland dogs as advance pickets. When we wished to move forward our picket line we disposed of these " quadraped Yanks " in short order by administering our favorite prescription, " rebel pellets " in lead."

Only instance I have come across of this occurring.
I would love to know who, What Idiot, was in front of the 16th using dogs as pickets?

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

From the Regimental History of The 16th North Carolina Infantry. April-May 1862. " He (McClellan) had extended his line from the James River a considerable distance up the Chickahominy. His organization was to every appearance complete. Balloons could be seen to ascend every day, spying out our peculiar location. The enemy was using in front of the Sixteenth some large New Foundland dogs as advance pickets. When we wished to move forward our picket line we disposed of these " quadraped Yanks " in short order by administering our favorite prescription, " rebel pellets " in lead."

Only instance I have come across of this occurring.
I would love to know who was in front of the 16th using dogs as pickets?

Wow, what officer thought that was a good idea?

 

[donna]

Awful. Poor dogs.

 

[diane]

Newfoundlands were indeed used as guard dogs - several units had them. Here is a portrait depicting the bond between the mascot and the soldiers by John Weiss:

These pooches were from cold climates and originally bred to help fishermen, so it's not too surprising the New Englanders brought these with them. There's a nice link from the Newfoundland Club of America about these wonderful dogs being used during the Civil War.

http://www.ncanewfs.org/history/pages/civilwar.html#.Wi7WDHlryaE

 

[Kevin Ellis]

I might have gotten a bit hung up on the " picket " inference quoted.
It seemed initially to me that this might have been a purposed tactic. I hope not.
That seems a bit less likely than a man or company's touchstone to home accompanying him where his fear my be the greatest, and that companionship be the most welcome.

Thanks for the link!

 

[JOHN42768]

I the dogs were attacking them, firing self defense is one thing, but to murder the dogs is pretty lowlife