In the summer of 1862, as the 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry assembled at Camp Massillon, a white bulldog named Harvey wandered into the camp, unknowingly enlisting in a journey that would etch his name into the annals of Civil War history. Adopted by Company F and closely bonded with Lieutenant Daniel M. Stearns, Harvey quickly became more than a mascot; he was a comrade, a morale booster, and a symbol of unwavering loyalty.
Harvey’s presence was a constant comfort amidst the chaos of war. Captain William Jordan noted in a letter dated February 14, 1864, that Harvey, along with other canine companions, had “the run of the regiment,” often choosing tents at random for his nightly rest or standing sentinel alongside the soldiers during guard duty. His interactions weren’t limited to humans; he once famously rescued a fellow mascot, a squirrel, from a potential scuffle, showcasing his gentle nature even in the face of adversity.
The battlefield did not spare Harvey. He sustained wounds in Virginia during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, at Resaca, Georgia, and was even captured near Kennesaw Mountain in 1864. Yet, his resilience shone through. After each ordeal, he returned to his regiment, embodying the tenacity and spirit of the soldiers he accompanied.
Private Adam Weaver recounted a touching moment on November 30, 1864, during the Battle of Franklin: “The regiment’s mascot, old dog Harvey, just paid us a visit. He somehow always looks me up. After a little bite and a hand pat too, moves on to Company ‘F’ boys.” Such interactions underscored the profound bond between Harvey and the men of the 104th.
Harvey’s service concluded with the regiment’s discharge in 1865 at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio. He returned home with Lieutenant Stearns, who, burdened by the war’s toll, eventually succumbed to mental health struggles, passing away in an asylum in 1890. Harvey’s fate post-war remains somewhat of a mystery, but his legacy endured. Veterans of the 104th commemorated him with reunion badges bearing his likeness and commissioned an oil painting to honor their steadfast companion.
Today, Harvey’s memory is immortalized in bronze statues at the Carter House in Tennessee and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Cleveland. These tributes serve not only as a testament to a brave canine but also as a symbol of the enduring bonds forged amidst the trials of war.
