GEORGE G. MEADE

Civil War General

Among the many Generals from Pennsylvania who served in the American Civil War, perhaps the most well-known is General George Gordon Meade.

Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain, of American parents on Dec. 31, 1815, and entered West Point in 1831, interested in getting an education rather than a military career. After graduating in 1835 and serving his required duty, he did civil engineering and surveying work. He rejoined the army in 1842 as an engineer, and served in the Mexican War. He was made a general in charge of volunteers at the beginning of the American Civil War to build defenses around Washington, D. C. He was with McClellan in the Peninsula battles, where he was wounded. He led troops in many engagements, including the Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.

President Lincoln appointed Meade in command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863, just as General Robert E. Lee was advancing into the North. Lincoln's orders to Meade were to follow Lee but to keep between him and Washington, D. C. At the chance meeting of the armies at Gettysburg, Meade defeated the Confederate troops under Lee, although he suffered heavy losses as well. Meade was greatly criticized for not pressing his advantage and possibly wiping out Lee's army during his retreat, but it must be remebered that Meade's army had also suffered greatly. Also, Meade had just been placed in command and was unsure of his army's capabilities. Though President Lincoln was disappointed, he did promote Meade to brigadier general in the regular army. He remained in command of the Army of the Potomac, though General Grant was higher in rank as commander of all Union forces. He then was in battles at the Wilderness and in the seige of Petersburg. Meade was later appointed to the rank of major general in the U. S. Army.

After the war, Meade headed the Military Division of the Atlantic in Philadelphia. He died there Nov. 6, 1872.