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Bloodhounds

The reason I was looking for references on General Forrest and the dogs he is reported to have had is because I am researching the use of dogs by the Confederate military during the Civil War.

Why? I have recently learned my uncle was a combat dog handler in the Marines during World War II. Dogs were used in Vietnam, World War II and World War I in combat by the U.S. military in scouting, combat, medical, communications, and other duties. In the Civil War, I've learned, that the Confederates were almost exclusive in the use of dogs in military rolls. I have done some research and have created more questions than answers but I have found enough information to make it interesting.

1. The term "bloodhound" was a powerful PC term used by the abolitionist as far back as the Seminole Wars, a war they were against. The image of bloodhounds tracking and ripping apart Indians was used by abolitionist newspapers to protest the war and as campaign issues during the presidential elections of that period.

2. There were three types of "bloodhounds".

The gentle "Bloodhound" is the common breed that has existed in the United States before the Civil War and still exist in the United States today. They are human trackers but they are not known to attack their prey.

The fearsome "Negro-Hounds" or "Cuban Bloodhounds" are an extinct breed. They were a type of Mastiff or Great Dane that tracked humans, and would attack its prey when it caught up to it. This breed was used by the Spanish to help capture and kill Indians. It is also the breed used in the American South by slave catchers and the U.S. military during Seminole Wars. Was used as a guard dog and was common in Florida and Texas. It was mistakely called "Bloodhound" by the abolitionist and later by the Union military.

The "Texas Hound", an extinct breed that was a cross between a Foxhound and a Cuban Bloodhound.

3. The O.R. references to the use of dogs shows that the Confederates were the primary users. They were used to track slaves, deserters, guerillas, bushwackers, spys, and escaped prisoners and as attack dogs in combat. They were also used as pickets or early warning systems around encampments.

4. One of the major criminal charges against Captain Henry Wirtz's was the use of "bloodhounds" to kill at least three escaped prisoners. The final charges against him had the word "bloodhounds" removed and replaced with "dogs", showing a legal assumption that the exact breed used was unknown.

5. I found two references of the use of "bloodhounds" as attack dogs by Confederate cavalry against Union troops. It seems to have been common for Confederate cavalry units to patrol with dogs.

6. The killing of a "bloodhound" by the prey was a punishable offense; a death punishment.

7. The use of "Bloodhounds" or "Negro-Hounds" was primarily in the East Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi area but not limited to those areas.

8. I found both Confederate and Union officers that were opposed to the use of "Negro-Hounds" or "Bloodhounds" to track humans on ethical grounds.

9. The movement of armies could be determined at a distance by the sound of barking dogs; as in the movements of Confederate forces around the Chattanooga area heard by Union forces.

I am still looking for information and if anyone would like to add something please do.

________________________
David Upton

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