I am in the process of finishing Eric Wittenberg’s newest book, “Like a Meteor Burning Brightly: The Short but Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren.” This is the first biography of Dahlgren, who was killed during US Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick’s Richmond Raid on March 2, 1864. Permanently crippled after the Battle of Hagerstown, Dahlgren would have his lower leg amputated. This did not slow the ambitious, fearless “Ully” Dahlgren. While recovering from his wounds he stated, “I stay to take part in the great fight; if I die, what death more glorious than the death of men fighting for their country? Life is only the vestibule to real existence; a state of preparation for the future. Every one has something to fulfill in this world as in a school. The duty must be faithfully performed here, or the penalty be paid hereafter.”
Almost predicting his own death, Dahlgren continued, “I always feel a conviction that in going into battle I may never return alive. I think over my sins and pray God to pardon them. I never go down to the fight without first offering prayer to the Almighty for forgiveness and acceptance!”(i)
Just a few short weeks later, Dahlgren would be killed near Richmond, Virginia.
Ulric Dahlgren is a fascinating and controversial Civil War figure. Eric’s new book has thrown a light on his amazing, albeit short, life. Watch in the near future for a complete review of this fascinating book.
(i) Wittenberg, Eric J., Like a Meteor Blazing Brightly: The Short but Controversial Life of Colonel Ulric Dahlgren, published by Edinborough Press in 2009, Pg. 153.
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