Some More On Col. Ulric's Leg-- Part 2: The Leg's Long Story At the Washington Navy Yard

And, then there is the story of what happened to the colonel's leg.  After it was cut off, the question became what to do with it.  It was in an advanced state of decomposition and it was determined that sending it to Philadelphia to be buried in the family plot was not an option.

But, there was a closer option: the Washington Navy Yard.  Ulric's father, John Dahlgren, was no longer in charge there, but the current commander  took the leg.  At the time, a new foundry was being to built at the yard to cast the elder Dahlgren's cannons and it was deemed appropriate that the leg should be buried in a wall of it.  A plaque was affixed to it saying that this was where the leg was buried.

The foundry was  demolished in 1915 and replaced with a metal fabrication shop though the leg was kept where it was.  However, the new shop was torn down in 1942 and the leg wasn't there.  The plaque, however, was attached to the new building erected on the site which in turn was replaced with a parking garage in 1998.  That plaque and another one explaining the story are still at the new facility.

It is not known where the leg is.

Where Is the Leg?  --Old Secesh