George
Meade, the son of a United States naval agent, was born in Cadiz,
Spain, on 31st December, 1815. After graduating from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point in 1835 he served
only a year in the United States Army before
resigning to become a civil engineering. He rejoined the army in 1842
and saw action in the Mexican War (1846-48).
On the outbreak of the American Civil War
he was commissioned brigadier general in command of the 2nd Brigade
of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Meade took part in the 2nd Battle of
Bull Run and the the Battle
of Chancellorsville in May, 1863. On 28th June, 1863, President
Abraham Lincoln appointed Meade to replace
General Joseph Hooker in charge of the
Army of the Potomac.
During the summer of 1863 Robert E. Lee
decided to take the war to the north. The Confederate
Army reached Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
on 1st July. The town was quickly taken but the Union
Army, led by Meade arrived in force soon afterwards and for the
next two days the town was the scene of bitter fighting. Attacks led
by James Jeb Stuart and James
Longstreet proved costly and by the 5th July, Lee decided to retreat
south. Both sides suffered heavy losses with Lee losing 28,063 men
and Meade 23,049.
Meade worked under Ulysses S. Grant who
later commented that: "Meade was brave and conscientious, and
commanded the respect of all who knew him. He was unfortunately of
a temper that would get beyond his control at times. No one saw this
better than he himself, and no one regretted it more. This made it
unpleasant at times, even in battle, for those around him to approach
him even with information." His aide, Theodore Lyman also criticised
him after the war claiming that "I don't know any gentleman,
who, when he is wrathy, exercises less of Christian charity than my
well-beloved Chief."
After the war Meade commanded the Division of the Atlantic. In 1867
he was put in charge of the Reconstruction district that included
Alabama, Georgia and Florida. George Meade died of pneumonia
in Philadelphia on 6th November,
1872.
(1)
Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs
of U.S. Grant (1885)
Meade was brave and conscientious, and commanded the respect of
all who knew him. He was unfortunately of a temper that would get
beyond his control at times. No one saw this better than he himself,
and no one regretted it more. This made it unpleasant at times, even
in battle, for those around him to approach him even with information.
(2)
General Oliver
Howard
wrote about the appointment of George Meade as commander of the Army
of the Potomac in June, 1863, in his autobiography published in 1907.
I had known Meade before the war, having met him and traveled
with him on our northern lakes when he was on engineering duty in
that region, and I had seen him frequently after the outbreak of hostilities.
As I entered his tent, he extended his hand, and said: "How are
you, Howard?" He demurred at any congratulation. He looked tall
and spare, weary, and a little flushed, but I knew him to be a good,
honest soldier, and gathered confidence and hope from his thoughtful
face. To him I appeared but a lad, for he had graduated in 1835 at
the Military Academy, nineteen years before me. He won me over by
his thoroughness and fidelity than by any show of sympathy or companionship.
To me, of course, he stood in the light of an esteemed, experienced
regular officer, old enough to be my father, but like a father that
one can trust without his showing him any special regard. So we respected
and trusted Meade from the beginning.
(3)
Ulysses Grant, letter to Edwin
M. Stanton, Secretary of War (13th May, 1864)
General Meade has more than met my most sanguine expectations.
He and Sherman are the fittest officers for large commands I have
come in contact with. In their services can be rewarded by promotion
to the rank of Major-Generals in the regular army the honor would
be worthily bestowed, and I would feel personally gratified. I would
not like to see one of these promotions at this time without seeing
both.
(4)
Theodore Lyman, aide to George Meade during the American
Civil War, commented on his personality after the conflict.
I don't know any gentleman, who, when he is wrathy, exercises less
of Christian charity than my well-beloved Chief.
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
