Background
Meade, George Gordon was born on December 31, 1815 in Cadiz, Spain. Son of Richard Warsam and Margaret (Butler) Meade.
Meade, George Gordon was born on December 31, 1815 in Cadiz, Spain. Son of Richard Warsam and Margaret (Butler) Meade.
Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1835.
Commissioned Second lieutenant 3d Artillery, United States Army, resigned, 1836. Became assistant engineer Alabama, Florida & Georgia Railroad Principal assistant engineer on survey mouths of Mississippi River, 1839.
An assistant to joint commission to establish boundaries between United States and Texas, 1840. Appointed Second lieutenant Topographical Engineers, United States Army, 1842.
Served in Mexican War at battles of Palo Alto, Monterey, Vera Cruz, brevetted First lieutenant, 1846.
First lieutenant Topographical Engineers, 1851, captain, 1856, in charge Northern Lake Surveys, 1857-1861. Commissioned brigadier general United States Volunteers, 1861, aided in defense of Washington, (District of Columbia), served in battles of Mechanicsville, Gaine’s Mill and New Market Cross Road, wounded at Glendale. Major Topographical Engrs, 1862, served at 2d Battle of Bulletin Run.
Commander Pennsylvania Reserves at battles of South Mountain, Fredricksburg.
Major general volunteers, 1862. In command 5th Corps at Battle of Chancellorsville, May 24, 1863.
In command Army of Potomac, 1863. Promoted brigadier general United States Army, 1863, repulsed Confederate Army under General Lee at Battle of Gettysburg, 1863.
Commissioned major general, serving under Grant, 1864.
In command Department of East, 1867, 3d Military District of South (Georgia, Alabama, Florida), 1868, Military Division of Atlantic, 1869-1872.
Married Margaretta Sergeant, 1840, 6 children.