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Rooster mascot
Sketch of Jake Donelson

Fort Donelson Staff

JAKE DONELSON, Co. H., 3rd Tennessee Regiment, CSA: Rooster mascot

At the onset of the Civil War, men from Tennessee left their homes and volunteered for the Confederate service to defend their homeland. One young soldier named Jerome McCanless joined the Third Tennessee infantry. It was common for soldiers to take every available opportunity to find food after leaving the comforts of their homes. On his way to the camp of instruction, or boot camp as we know it today, McCanless bought a rooster with full intensions to have him for a tasty meal. Moreover, he noticed this wasn’t any ole rooster, he had a fighting spirit and decided not to eat him. Making rank of lieutenant, McCanless recruited this rooster as the regiment mascot and named him, Jake.

The soldiers all loved him because Jake made them happy, reminding them of their pets they had back home. He entertained them often in camp, fighting other chickens from the chicken pen. When the soldiers were on long marches, Jake “took a seat of honor with the driver of the baggage wagon.”
The Third Tennessee was sent to Fort Donelson, located in Dover, Tennessee.

“During the battle of Fort Donelson, he was to be seen on the breastworks and at frequent intervals gave vent to lusty crows of defiance to the enemy and of encouragement to the regiment. Some of the company begged that McCanless that Jake be removed from such a dangerous position, but the lieutenant refused, for he knew how Jake would pine if he could not share the dangers of his comrades. When there was a shriek of a shell, Jake sounded that low, guttural warning so common to chicken kind, and would hug close to the breastworks.


“At the surrender, he fell in with his company and made the long trip to Chicago. While marching through the city streets, people were mocking the CSA soldiers with tattered uniforms, Jake mounted his master’s knapsack and gave the old familiar ‘cock-a-doodle-doo,’ as a cheer to the downhearted captured men. It was the signal for a regiment to give the old Rebel yell and give it they did, as only brave and unconquered hearts could.

Surprisingly, Jake lived through prison camp, and when his master and comrades were released, Jake was taken home to live out the rest of his life and died in 1864.

Wartime mascots demonstrated bravery and loyalty and were admired by the soldier around them.
  • Civil War Mascots were inspiring for the troops.
  • They were a reminder of beloved pets back home.
  • Some brought enthusiasm to the soldiers.
  • And others were simply to offset the boredom in camp life.
So, the next time you see a mascot, take a moment to remember the Civil War mascot, Jake Donelson who was at Fort Donelson, and most importantly, how he inspired, entertained, and comforted the men of the Third Tennessee regiment.
He was a hero.


Last updated: May 6, 2020

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