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Ulric Dahlgren, U.S.A. |
Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, U.S.A.
Colonel Ulric Dahlgren was the second son of Rear-Admiral John Adolf
and Mary Dahlgren, and was born April 3, 1842, in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania.
Completing his school-days in 1858, it was decided that his vocation was
civil engineering, and, as he had received much practical instruction from
his father, he was in 1859 employed to survey some tracts of wild land in
Mississippi. In September, 1860, in obedience to his father's wishes, he
entered a Philadelphia law-office, but amid the rush of events which
followed the inauguration of President Lincoln he desired to serve his
country, and July 24, 1861, he was attached to a naval expedition from the
Washington Yard to assist in the defence of Alexandria, Virginia. As it
became evident by September that active operations could not be expected
before spring, Ulric again yielded to his father's wishes and resumed his
law studies, with the promise that he would be recalled when the hour of
action should come.
During the winter of 1861-62 he was one of an association of young men who
formed a light artillery company in Philadelphia, at the same time
pursuing his studies, and the last entrance of his written memoranda is, "
Examination, February 24, 1862."
On the 26th of May, 1862, young Dahlgren, who was then just twenty years
old, was sent to Harper's Ferry, in charge of a battery of navy howitzers,
and on the 29th was sent back to Washington to obtain needed supplies of
ammunition. His father was in the private office of Secretary Stanton,
together with the President. Ulric's report was so well made and created
such an impression that, as he was passing out, Mr. Stanton tendered him
the appointment of captain and additional aide-de-camp. He reached
Harper's Ferry the next morning in time to take part in the final repulse
of the rebels.
Captain Dahlgren was attached to the staff of General Sigel, who thus
speaks of him in the series of movements made at this time and
subsequently
" Captain Dahlgren's services generally, on the line of the Rappahannock,
where he was continuously engaged in meeting the enemy's' batteries with
our own, to facilitate thereby the march of our troops and trains
alongside of the river, were most valuable."
" At the battles of Bull Run and Groveton on the 29th and 3oth of August
he was, almost without interruption, engaged in planting or relieving our
batteries under the most galling fire of the enemy."
General Sigel desired to make Captain Dahlgren chief of artillery of his
corps, and in a note addressed to the governor of Pennsylvania, endorsed
by President Lincoln and Admirals Smith and Foote, spoke of his aide as a
" young officer of merit and usefulness, who has already distinguished
himself and reflected much credit on the service."
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