Evening star., 1932-08-21

the naval gun foundry, where those who moved
among the things of war, would be reminded
through the ages that men had always been
willing to fight and sacrifice for what they be-
ieved was right.
The old admiral snapped his fingers. Not
only would he be present at the cornerstone
laying Of the gun foundry but he would place
beneath that stone at least one bone OF the
Dahlgren family. And so 1t came to pass.
The amputated member of young Uric Dahl
gren was wrapped in a flag and carried to
the Navy Yard where it was laid to rest be-
meath the foundry cornerstone.
Shortly after the interment, Admiral Dahl
gren had q tablet erected, which still may be
seen on the cornerstone of the old gun foun-
dry, where the sheet metal shop, known as
building No. %. now stands.
An inscription upon the brass tablet, clear
and legible despite the passing Of over TO
years, reads:
Within this ioaH
Is deposited the leg Of
Col Uric Dahlgren, U. S. v.
Wounded July 9Th, 1868,
While skirmistfng IN the
Streets OF HaoerstoOn
With the rebels
After the Battle of Gettysburgh.
While Capt Dahlgren lowered between life
and death after the operation which cost him
his leg he was visited by President Lincoln
brought him q new commission as colonel Of
volunteers.
Young Dahlgren not only recovered from the
operation, but lived to return to the service
which he loved. His father had been trans
ferred from the Bureau of Ordnance to the
command of the Federal Blockading Fleet.
While convalescing on his fathers flagship,
Uric learned Of the plans of a secret expedi-
ton which was to be sent to Richmond In an
attempt to release the prisoners in Libby and
Belle Isle. He Immediately offered his services.
which were accepted by the War Department.
Mounted on horse back, with his crutches
strapped ON his saddle, the young soldier in
command of q special force, started toward
Richmond to execute several things necessary
for the success of the expedition. His plans
were to carry out the preliminaries and then
rejoin the main command of about 1000 Cav
airy in the vicinity Of Richmond.
Somehow, plans miscarried and when he
arrived at the appointed meeting place, his
comrades were not. there. Thinking they had
gone ON to Richmond he started to follow.
Near Mattapony River, he and his men were
ambushed, and young Dahlgren was killed
before he could reach the Southern capital.
Reports had been circulated among the Con-
federates that Dahlgren had planned to burn
Richmond and kill President Jefferson Davis
It was claimed that papers to this effect had
been found upon the young mans body, fact
emphatically denied by both Admiral Dahlgren
and the War Department.
However, sentiment was so strong against
the Federal officer that his body was stripped
Of all clothing, exposed to the infuriated popu-
lace Of Richmond and then buried secretly
The poor, mutilated young body was stolen from
its secret burial place and, after private nego-
tiations with the family, was returned to the
bereaved old admiral.
Less than year after witnessing the inter-
ment Of his sons amputated limb beneath the
cornerstone Of the Navy Yard gun foundry,
Admiral Dahlgren accompanied the body Of
his 21-year-old boy-soldier to its last resting
place in the Bunker lot in West Laurel Hill
Cemetery, Philadelphia.