8 x 10, black and white reproduction photograph Plate 23, the iconic view taken by Alexander Gardner, on the Antietam battlefield, in Maryland, shortly after the September 17, 1862, battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day in American history. This battle was known as the battle of Sharpsburg, Md. in the South.

This photograph shows President Abraham Lincoln at Antietam, Maryland, on Friday, October 3, 1862, during his visit to see General McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, to encourage "Little Mac" to attack the Confederate Army. Lincoln is standing at the center by a chair and wearing his famous top hat while facing General George B. McClellan with other Union Army officers grouped outside a tent. From left to right: Colonel Delos B. Sacket, Captain George Monteith, Lieutenant Colonel Nelson B. Sweitzer, General George W. Morell, Colonel Alexander S. Webb [Chief of Staff, 5th Corps, and future MOH recipient for his heroism at Gettysburg], General George B. McClellan, Scout Adams, Dr. Jonathan Letterman [Army of the Potomac Medical Director], unidentified soldier, President Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Henry J. Hunt, General Fitz-John Porter, Joseph C. G. Kennedy, Colonel Frederick T. Locke, General Andrew A. Humphreys, and the soon to be legendary Captain George Armstrong Custer.

This wonderful image has been printed on high quality glossy photographic stock, and is not a cheap computer knock off, but instead is a great photographic copy of the original Gardner Sketch Book image. Suitable for framing. I purchased this photograph in one of the Civil War shops in Gettysburg for my own personal Civil War photographic display, one of the best in the country, which I oftentimes put on display for the public on historic occasions to enjoy back in the 1990's when I was a proud resident of Gettysburg, Pa. Very sharp image in near mint condition.

Text From Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the Civil War

President Lincoln on the Battle-Field of Antietam

On the 1st of October, 1862, two weeks after the battle of Antietam, President Lincoln visited the Army of the Potomac, encamped near Harper's Ferry, in Maryland. He was accompanied on his trip by Major General McClernand and Staff, Colonel [Ward Hill] Lamon, the Marshal of the District of Columbia, and Mr. Garrett, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The President reached General's Sumner's headquarters, on Bolivar Heights, at Harper's Ferry, On Wednesday, occupied the afternoon in reviewing the forces at that position, and spent the night at General Sumner's quarters. On Thursday morning he recrossed the Potomac, and was met by General [George B.] McClellan and Staff, who conducted him during that and the following day over the scenes of the recent battle, and in reviewing the various Corps and Divisions of the Army, extending over a space of several miles. The evening and night of Thursday and Friday the President spent at General McClellan's quarters, occupying much of his time in private conversation with him. In this conversation, it is said, that when the President alluded to the complaints that were being made of the slowness of the General's movements, General McClellan replied, "You may find those who will go faster than I, Mr. President, but it is very doubtful if you will find many who will go further."

On Saturday, the President set out on his return home, accompanied by General McClellan as far as Middletown, but on the way, riding over the battlefield of South Mountain, the leading incidents of which, the scenes of particularly desperate conflicts, the names of the Corps and officers engaged, &c., were pointed out and described by the General, as he had previously done those of the great battle of Antietam; in all of which the President evinced a deep interest. The President then proceeded to Frederick, where he was received by the people with the most enthusiastic demonstration of respect, and reached Washington in a special train at ten o'clock that night.