The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-01-01

Hitherto Unpublished story Of PresI-
dent Under Fire at Fl. stevens.

dent Under Fire at Fl. Stevens.
10 all but certainly not
more than score, perhaps not more
than a dozen-it is news that Abra-
ham Lincoln was hit by bullet fired
By Confederate soldier in battle.
The histories do not record 1t, nor the
biographies. Those who saw the oc-
currence thought little or It at the
time. 20 pressing was the work they
had In hand and the president is not
known ever afterward to nave men-
TONED the incident.
On the orning Of July H. 1854, =
young Lieutenant Colonel Of the Six
ty-flfth New York Volunteers. stand-
ing 3ust outside Ft. Stevens, one OF
the series OF forts that completely
surroundedaand guarded Washington,
saw President Lincoln walk fearless
" among his soldiers, discussing the
conditions and circumstances Of the
then impending attack upon the city
by Lieutenant General Early and his
confederate forces while battle rag
ed outside the breastworls.
watching with the curiosity OF o
soldier who had seen his president but
twice before the colonel was alarmed
when he saw him hit BY ballet
which had sped through the air from
the camp OF the enemy. The young
o0acs~ was William r. Roome. who
was aAiutank general and chief 81
stag, Of Major General Upton. Colon
81 Roome now lives ct ia West
Ea8hty-sixth street.
Colonel Rcomeie story ls as follows:
I'm July. 1864. early. with orders
from Lee, started from Lynchburg,
vent down the Shenandoah Valley.
sought battle a. Harper's Ferry.
end also on the MonOcacy River. and
was TO make demonstration against
washington. Il was thought that IL
he could arrive with his force and ana
the forts above the city not fully oc-f
cupaed (as they were not) It would
result In great Northern scare, q
strengthening Of the Confederacy. and
possibly even greater results. He ar
rived in front Of washington, opposite
vi. stevens, on July II. In the after
noon. In order that they might be
fully prepared to take action, tney1
decided 70 rest the men that night
and make the demonstration the foi-
lowing day. Their movements wefs
nil hnewn TO Grant.
ssrhe sixth Corps OF the army Of the
Potomac was detached from that
\ army In front Of Petersburg. and sent
20 thwart any demonstration that
might Be made by EARLY. One Dis
vision Of the Sixth Corps was left In
baltimore. because the demonstration
was intended 20 be against that city
\ and philadelphia az well. The ether
4 two divisions arrived in Washington
Al detaehments on steamers from the
1Oka TO the 18th. The first and $685.
ond divisions were immediately sent
20 ~. Stevens. which was about four
miles from the white Hoase.
,srha rsrzs invitation. 10 which I be-
aonreA remained sn reserve In the VIZ
~initv ~ the fort. the other was sent;
n,,4 n ,eror4 rha countrv stretching.
!. go, - = syou, ana fort "a the north was
sr : q rantle Ieellne. then a little
rsarA Far sor1a wav With hills In the
xssta,ce EVERY detail Of. the move
y,1nt ~ ssha two divlslons~-ours and
n,,s ~ rnrIy.s-aeould be seen plainly
erg,,e AVA sorf wh,ia tho participants
.s ss.a eosls seaa onIv what was
$500 I Il ty,4l,sl immediate front.
ssrsare vac 4hua unroiled 4 panora-.
-. - war.--a hattie n progress. In
en- ~. Nsatarna 4. mouse was set afire by
49, sy4s,yarsv ana FORMED : prominens
s - ~ 4hn picture.
~1rha angageuent was eufacientIy
"a srcrn ths fort Ia make 4 bullet
ssssst caTrs - 4 ssnrseticalIv harmless,
.s,na tIlustration was interesting. az
show,rg tha degree IL danger ii our
/, ,,as,f,s,ns an, sssosfha comparative eff
4 49, ~ ~ ioua III euriositv and
IA Il wnmen 1 large tree which
rafls haa,y shtIad very close to where
atood .lav .in 1 horizontal position
" ~, 7. -.