President Lincoln reviewing the Army of the Potomac on Monday, April 6, 1863

After recovering from wounds suffered at Fredericksburg, Virgina, Erasmus Corwin Gilbreath returned to the 20th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment in early 1863. By that time, the Army of the Potomac was under the command of General Joseph Hooker.

On April 5, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of State, William Seward arrived at the Army of the Potomac’s camp across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg. The President carried out inspections of the Army, including Gilbreath’s regiment.