
Ancestry of Maj. Gen.
George Meade
Union Army - U.S. Civil War
Who was Major General George Meade?
Born on December 31, 1815, in Cádiz, Spain, George Gordon Meade came from a privileged Philadelphia family. His military journey began at the United States Military Academy, where he graduated in 1835. Little did he know that his path would intersect with one of the most critical moments in American history.
Meade’s early career included service during the Mexican-American War, where he oversaw coastal survey and construction projects. However, it was during the Civil War that he truly made his mark. Initially a brigadier general in the Union army’s Eastern Theater, Meade faced immense challenges.
His defining moment arrived in July 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. As commander of the Army of the Potomac, Meade confronted General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate forces. The stakes were high—the outcome could sway the war’s trajectory. Meade’s strategic positioning and effective defense turned the tide. Despite criticism from President Abraham Lincoln, his victory at Gettysburg was a turning point.
Meade’s legacy extends beyond that fateful battle. He remains the last commander of the Army of the Potomac, a symbol of resilience and leadership. On November 6, 1872, he passed away, leaving behind a nation forever changed by his actions.
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