Captain Ulric Dahlgren
Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Commanded a detachment of Union cavalry that made a surprise attack on a larger force of Confederate cavalry on this square, July 2, 1863. Important papers for General Lee were taken from the men who were captured.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
On July 2, 1863, as the armies clashed just miles away at Gettysburg, young Union cavalry officer Ulric Dahlgren led a bold raid into the square at Greencastle and struck a larger body of Confederate horsemen. His troopers captured couriers carrying dispatches intended for General Lee, seizing papers that offered a glimpse into enemy movements at a decisive moment of the campaign.
Why it matters
Small, daring cavalry actions like this one shaped the intelligence and momentum of the Gettysburg Campaign, the turning point of the Civil War in the Eastern Theater.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum13.7 mi away
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Related people
- · Ulric Dahlgren
- · Robert E. Lee
Related events
- · Gettysburg Campaign
Themes & tags
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