Major General George Gordon Meade was born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815. He attended the U.S. Military and graduated in 1835. From there he served in the military in the Seminole War in Fl as a 2nd lieutenant. After one year in the military he resigned to work as a civil engineer and surveyor. After six years of doing this, he rejoined the army in 1842. Due to his experience during the six years away from the military, he was put into the topographical engineers of the north east boundaries. When the Mexican War errupted, he was put in service in Mexico from 1846 to 1848. Due to his measures at the Battle of Monterey he was cited for gallant conduct. In 1861 George Meade was promoted to Brigadier General. At the start of the civil war he was put in charge of a unit to build the defenses of Washington D.C. if the Confederates were able to attack. Afterwards, under General George McClellan in June of 1862, he led his brigade in the Seven Days War at Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, and at Frayser's farm. During these fights he was wounded at Frayser's Farm. His wound kept him out of action until August to join in the fight of the Second Battle of Bull Run. After General Hooker was wounded, Meade was chose to lead the 1st corps. After the battle at Fredericsburg he was then given command of the 5th corps. When Hooker resigned his command Meade was the next person to succed him. On June 28, 1863 he was given command to lead the Army of the Potamac. Major General Meade would hold this position until the end of the war. During all of his time as a soldier he is most remembered and congratulated on the victory over General Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg. Although after this event, he wasn't as popular as Ulysses S. Grant who was given the surrender of the south and was able to match up to General Lee's tactics. He was still a brilliant commander.
Text above is taken from the Encyclopedia Americana. |
