Zion Reformed Church was a stronghold for the Confederates during their retreat from Gettysburg on July 6, 1863. General Robert E. Lee passed through Hagerstown during the Confederate occupation following the Battle of Gettysburg. On July 12th, General George Armstrong Custer observed Confederate movements from the church's bell tower after his Michigan cavalry brigade forced the occupying Confederates to the western edge of town. A Confederate sniper fired at Custer in the bell tower, but missed him and hit one of the tower's bells.