In a little known battle just outside Washington DC during the American Civil War, President Lincoln came out to see the battle and became the only sitting US President to come under enemy fire during a war. In fact a surgeon standing next to him was wounded by a confederate sharp shooter.
The story is chronicled in Marc Leepson’s book Desperate Engagment.
Marc Leepson appears on CSPANs BookTV and tours the battlefields describing events. (WARNING may only be enjoyable by die hard History and Civil War Fans)
One reply on “Sitting US President Under Enemy Fire”
Thanks very much for choosing Desperate Engagement. I would like to let you know, though, that I’ve had a great deal of positive response from folks who are not die-hard Civil War or history fans about the Book TV show. It seems to be a story that anyone can get something out of, although it would help to have a bit of an interest in American history.