Daily Gazette & Comet [Baton Rouge, LA], October 24, 1860
The Columbus (Ga.) Sun announces that Mr. J. W. Booth the young tragedian, connected with the theatrical company now performing there, was seriously wounded, a few nights since, by the accidental discharge of a pistol in the hands of Mr. Canning. He (Mr. Canning) was loading the pistol, and when pressing on the cap it discharged, the contents entering Mr. Booth’s thigh, causing a severe wound. Fortunately the ball took a downward direction and escaped the important vessels lying near its course. The accident will disable him for some time.
According to the History Channel, John Wilkes Booth “accidentally shot himself in the thigh with a co-star’s pistol.”