George G. Meade (Union)

George G. Meade (Union)
George G. Meade (Union)

General George G. Meade is number 6 on our famous folks top 10 list of Civil War Generals. Here is his micro biography:

George Meade
General George G. Meade

George G. Meade was born on December 31, 1815, in Cadiz, Spain. He grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1835. Meade was a skilled engineer and was stationed in Florida, Texas, and Mexico during the Mexican-American War. He also worked on improving harbors and lighthouses on the East Coast.

Battle fought by George Meade

Meade was a Union general during the American Civil War. He fought in several important battles, including the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was given command of the Army of the Potomac just before the Battle of Gettysburg, where he led his army to victory over Confederate General Robert E. Lee. This was a turning point in the war and is considered one of the Union’s most important victories.

Meade continued to lead the Army of the Potomac in several more battles and was a key figure in the Union’s eventual victory over the Confederacy. He was known for his strong leadership skills and his ability to make quick decisions on the battlefield. Meade was also respected for his honesty and integrity, and for treating his soldiers with kindness and compassion.

George Meade after civil war

After the Civil War, Meade was named the head of the Military Division of the Atlantic, where he was responsible for overseeing military operations in the Eastern United States. He also served as the Chief Engineer of the Army and was involved in the construction of several important military projects, including the fortifications of Washington, D.C.

Meade retired from the military in 1868 and settled in Philadelphia, where he lived for the rest of his life. He died on November 6, 1872, at the age of 56. Today, Meade is remembered as one of the most important figures of the American Civil War and as a hero who fought for the Union and helped preserve the United States.

Here are 10 more interesting things about George G. Meade:

  1. Meade’s father was a wealthy merchant who sent him to Europe to study engineering.
  2. Meade was one of the youngest graduates of West Point, and he was only 19 years old when he graduated.
  3. He helped build the Washington Monument and was involved in the construction of several other important buildings in the nation’s capital.
  4. Meade was known for his calm demeanor and his ability to stay cool under pressure.
  5. He was a good friend of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, who once described Meade as “one of the finest engineers in the army.”
  6. Meade was a brave and talented commander, and he was never defeated in battle.
  7. He was awarded several medals and honors for his service during the Civil War, including the Congressional Gold Medal.
  8. Meade was the first man to hold the rank of major general in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
  9. After the Civil War, Meade was a member of several important military organizations and was involved in many efforts to preserve the memory of the war.
  10. Meade is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, where a statue of him stands in his honor.

Here is the bibliography for Civil War Generals for this micro biography.