The Battle of Fort Stevens was fought outside Washington D.C. as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864, Jubal A. Early's attempt to seize the city of Washington. This action was delayed by Lew Wallace and his troops at Monocacy forcing the Union reinforcements to come to Washington's defenses. Early retreated after a one day effort to take the city. He remarked to one of his officers after the battle, "Major, we didn't take Washington but we scared Abe Lincoln like hell." This was the only battle witnessed by a sitting president.

Fort Stevens-National Park Service