[President Abraham Lincoln, Major General John A. McClernand (right), and E. J. Allen (Allan Pinkerton, left), Chief of the Secret Service of the United States, at Secret Service Department, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, near Antietam, Maryland] 1862

This historical photograph, taken by Alexander Gardner in 1862, depicts President Abraham Lincoln standing between Major General John A. McClernand and Allan Pinkerton, Chief of the United States Secret Service, at Antietam, Maryland. The image, a poignant reminder of the Civil War era, captures Lincoln's somber expression as he stands among military personnel at a critical juncture in the conflict. This photograph provides a glimpse into the wartime realities faced by the nation's leader and the individuals who served alongside him.