Pen and ink on paper, 19.5 x 13.25 in. (sight), framed to 26.25 x 20.75 in. Titled and signed lower right, "Escape of the Army of Northern Virginia Com. by Genl R E Lee. Crossing the Potomac into Virginia at Falling Waters near / Williamsport Md July 14th 1863. E Forbes."

During the Civil War, Edwin Forbes (1839-1895) worked for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper capturing many important war scenes while following the Army of the Potomac. Consequently, he was a firsthand witness to major battles such as Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Petersburg. After the war, Forbes published two volumes of his work, including Life Studies of the Great Army: A Historical Art Work in Copper Plate Etching Containing Forty Plates, a set of which was purchased by General William T. Sherman, and for which he was awarded a gold medal at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.