Union Jack - The Prisoners' Pet
The poetic incidents of this war could fill many an interesting volume could they be collected by some able hand; and it would appear that it is not man alone who is being roused to deeds of heroism, but that even the brute creation are catching the contagion. The distinguished individual who forms the subject of this brief memoir, and whose portrait graces this page, is the already famous "Union Jack" or "Jack" - as he is more briefly and familiarly called among his friends. We are not aware of Jack's entertaining any ambitious desire of being promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, nor have we heard of any intention on his part to get up a grand bow-wowing demonstration in any of our theaters; but this excessive modesty should not induce us to hide his merits. Although walking on four legs, he has exhibited far more courage, devotion, trust-worthiness, and other noble human qualities - indeed done more actual good to our army - than many a shoulder-strapped and gold-bedizened animal now walking upon two legs.
The writer of this sketch first had the honor of becoming acquainted with Jack at Fortress Monroe, on the interesting occasion of the arrival there of our liberated prisoners from Richmond - some 160 officers - on the 19th of August last. He seemed to belong to nobody in particular, but followed these officers everywhere about the Hygeia Hotel, receiving such caresses and marks of deep affection from every officer that we were tempted to inquire as to his history.
He is a young dog of the mastiff breed, of medium size and jetty blackness, except a white breast and a dash of white on each of his four paws. His manners are very gentle and even timid among his friends, but he is suspicious and fierce as a lion when among his enemies. Although born in Secessia, and breathing constantly the air of treason, he is intensely loyal to the Union, and betrays a hatred of any thing in the shape of a rebel, which many of our "conservative" and "neutral" loyalists in the North would do well to imitate.
Jack originally belonged to a rebel jailer in Front Royal, Virginia, when Company F and I of the First Maryland Regiment were there on Provost Guard duty. When Jackson made an advance upon that place, these companies fell back to join their regiment in repelling him, and, after a severe action, were surrounded by Jackson, taken prisoners, and brought back to Front Royal. It was on this occasion that Jack's great military, loyal, and social qualities were first brought into conspicuous display.
When Companies F and I left Front Royal, Jack insisted on accompanying them, in spite of his master's efforts to detain him. He proceeded with them to the battlefield - keeping company with the officers as he went along - and his first exploit was trying hard to unearth a cannonball which he had seen bury itself near him. Presently the shells began to scream and burst in the air all around him. When Jack saw them coming, instead of running to hide himself - as it is said many a blustering bully does - he ran barking after the fragments and trying to catch them; thinking, no doubt, that it was some pyrotechnic display got up for his especial amusement. This settled the question of Jack's bravery, and from this time forward he seemed to form an affection for our officers, and they for him, which nothing could alter, and he has accompanied them through all their vicissitudes and changes of prison to Richmond.
The stories told of this dog's sagacity and devotion would seem incredulous had they not come from the most varied and reliable sources. On the road, when our parched men were fainting from thirst, he would always run forward, and whenever he discovered a pool of water would rush back, barking loudly, to tell them of it. When they were supplied with only five crackers to each man for five days - with no meat - and our poor fellows were literally dying from starvation, this noble animal has been known to go and catch chickens for them and to bring them in his mouth! Or he would waylay every rebel horse or wagon passing with food, and bark imploringly for them to bring relief. On one occasion, when a sick and exhausted Union soldier had been left behind, Jack staid with him for several hours until a wagon took him up.
But one of the most remarkable features in his character is his utter hatred of rebels. His actions in this respect really seemed to go beyond brute instinct. No kindness, no attempt at caressing could get the "graycoats" to win him over or even induce him to take food from them; but he growled and snapped at them upon all occasions, until many threatened to shoot him. When they got to Richmond prison, another large dog was there being fondled by a a secesh officer, and Jack stood there looking at both, apparently with the greatest hatred and disgust. When the officer left, the secesh dog tried to scrape an acquaintance with Jack, but the latter did not covet any such friendship. He rushed upon the canine rebel, gave him a sound thrashing, and, although larger than himself, fairly tossed him over his head.
Jack was a great disciplinarian. When on duty he knows the various roll calls so well that he pays no attention to any of them except one - that of his officers. As soon as he heard this, he used to run about in the greatest excitement, as if to call his friends together, and then, placing himself beside the drummer, would put up his nose and commence a long howl - the boys used to say answering his name. In traveling he seemed to take the whole responsibility upon himself. Whenever the cars stopped he was invariably the first to jump off, and the whistle no sooner sounded than he was the first to jump on again.
But no character is perfect, and we are sorry to say there is a serious blemish in Jacks. He is an aristocrat of the first order; one of the regular out-and-out F.F.V.'s from first to last - except to help - except to help them when in distress - he never would associate with privates, but always stuck fast to where the shoulder straps were assembled. But, after all, in this respect poor Jack is only following the example of many a human toady and tuft-hunter that can be called to mind; and before we blame this young puppy for cringing to the to the rich and great, let us remember that he is not the only puppy that does so.
Upon the whole, Jack is an immense favorite with all who know him, but especially the First Maryland regiment, who claim him as their own, and who were tickled at the idea of seeing him handed down to immortality in the pages of Harper's Weekly. They expressed a determination of having, as soon as they got to Baltimore, a splendid collar made expressly for their favorite; and we shall be surprised if this lucky dog does not become a great lion in the Monumental City.
