On July 12, 1864, while General Early was assaulting the works around Washington D.C., Lt. Col. William P Roome witnessed President Abraham Lincoln being hit by a bullet.

"while so standing, one of these bullets, fired at long range by a confederate, struck the president on the thigh. The force was not sufficient to wound him; in fact, I doubt if it pierced his trousers. The bullet fell to the ground. President Lincoln paid no attention to it other than to glance down and permit a smile to linger for a moment on face."