From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/21/1862, p. 2, c. 3
Charged with Shooting a Man. – L. H. Fooke was brought before the Provost Marshal last Friday morning, charged with feloniously shooting at Thomas J. Beal, master carpenter of the C. S. Arsenal, in this city. Fooke is a refugee from Washington, and a clerk in the same department as Beal. It appears that the workmen employed there had united in a design to present a horse to Capt. B. G. Baldwin, their Superintendent, who was going on active service. On being applied to for a contribution, Fooke had replied in what was deemed an insulting letter of refusal. The workmen thereupon waxed wroth, and tales of Fooke's real or supposed disloyalty became rife. An intention on the part of a number of persons to "lick him" had been conveyed to Fooke, who thereupon armed himself with a revolver. It happened that Mr. Beal was the first one who encountered him, and a few words passed, followed by a blow from Beal, which was replied to Fooke with the observation that he was ready for him, and the discharge of a pistol ball at Beal, which passed over his heart, cutting off half of his nipple, tearing his breast to some extent, and going in and out of his vest. Fooke was brought before Capt. Godwin, but the charge of disloyalty was sustained only by vague surmises and suspicions, and Mr. Beal expressing a desire not to prosecute the matter before the Mayor, the case terminated by the discharge of Fooke.