A Tribute to Cats Who Served During Wars Part 2

I wanted to share this story separately because its so sad and I do have a few pictures to go along with it that are amazing.

Cannon at Fort McAllister

Tom Cat was a Confederate mascot during the American Civil War of the 1860's. Fort McAllister was an important part of a defensive ring that protected the Confederate city of Savannah, Georgia. Built of earthwork fortifications, sods and mounds of mud from Ogeechee river, the men who defended her lived inside of these mods, underground in bunkers. The thick earth and moss covered walls were inordinately efficient at absorbing cannonballs the Unionists launched at them. As a consequence, the fort held out far longer than did its more modern sister Fort Pulaski, which was taken by Union forces in 1862. 

Fort McAllister, Confederate City of Savannah, Georgia in 1862  This is where Tom Cat would run when the battle raged; in, around and through these same mounds.

Fort McAllister's earthen defense in 1864, a closeup.

Confederate Gun @ Fort McAllister 1864

Tom Cat was a big black cat who was cherished by the entire garrison. He would dash headlong on the defenses during an assault, successfully evading the hail of musket fire and cannonballs as they flew overhead. Pictured are the defenses Tom Cat tore across.

Tragically, on March 3^rd 1863, Tom Cat took a stray bullet that ended his life during a series of tenacious naval assaults on the Fort by Union forces. After the decapitation of the Fort's Commander, Major John B. Gallie during the second attack, it was found that Tom Cat was the only Confederate casualty accounted for during the whole seven hours of bitter onslaught. He was laid to rest with full military honors. In the official report his death was disclosed to General Beauregard; the loss of Tom Cat was violently felt by the defenders but, honoring Tom Cat's memory, they held the fort til close to the end of 1864, after which Fort McAllister fell to the land forces lead by General Sherman as the final obstacle in his 'March to the Sea'. 

Tom Cat's Memorial Plaque

Today no cats live in the park grounds of Fort McAllister. Purchased by Henry Ford in the 1930's and opening to the public as a historical park after considerable restoration, workers have consistently refused to spend the night because of bizarre and unrecognizable noises. Visitors, staff and those who role play the battles of the 1860's have told of seeing a black cat bolting along the ramparts. Tom Cat has been seen in some of the rooms and gazing out towards the Ogeechee. There are those who have felt Tom Cat as a furry, arched back that rubbed against their legs. In the 1960's, approximately 150 years after his passing from this world, visitors and groundsmen reported observing what looked to them like a headless body in full Civil War-era officer's uniform striding the bulwarks. Is it Major Gallie and Tom Cat continuing to mount a watch at the Fort they safeguarded nearly 150 years ago?

Major John B. Gallie, Confederate Solider, 1864

We hope so.

Catspaw

As It Happened,

As it happened, Boo’s death coincided with Sassy’s birth of a single calico kitten. We christened her Emerald because we were moving to a hamlet of that name within a few weeks. Molly seemed lost without Boo, she’d wander the house and basement calling for him; she searched outside and Sassy would join her going to all the places Boo usually went. My husband and I weren’t the only ones mourning the loss of our dear friend. It was part of the reason we decided to keep Sassy’s baby, as a balm for all of us and in remembrance of Boo. 

Now older and wiser, Emerald lives in a world of her own where she, exclusively, rules and everyone else is her servant! A beautiful creature with semi long fur in calico colors, she spends her time preening and demanding treats. Highly competitive, she has to get her treats first because she will steal them from the others. Every morning begins the same with Emmy up on her hind legs, almost dancing to grab the treat bag out of my hands with her paws. Like Molly, she is very clever at getting what she wants. She uses her paws, usually with claws out, to steal food from dishes, hands and to gingerly pull treats away from the others.

Since the move she’s gotten used to going outside but demands re-entrance by getting up on her hind legs and in Grand fashion, furiously paws the outside of the patio door. She’s aggressive when she plays and is always the first to do everything. Though she doesn’t like to be picked up and cuddled unless it’s her choosing, the morning or evening crazies find her terrorizing the entire household while everyone tries to stay out of her way. Frequently she has almost successfully gone for a headlong nosedive down the narrow basement stairs. I swear there are invisible brakes on that cat!

Catspaw